The grant program in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's U.S. Libraries Proram

Summary

This was the initial grant awarded to libraries in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's U.S. Libraries Initiative. The Foundation team, based in Seattle, identified high poverty areas in each state ( Libraries with 10% or more of their service population in poverty) and worked with the state library agencies to deliver a multifaceted program focused on ensuring that the public libraries in those poverty areas could provide Internet access and quality computer resources to the public. In Rhode Island, the Initiative provided computers, servers, training, and software to the following libraries:

• Central Falls Free Public Library
• Cranston Public Library, Arlington Reading Room
• East Greenwich Free Library
• East Providence Public Library, Riverside Branch
• Jamestown Philomenian Library
• Middletown Public Library
• Narragansett Public Library
• Newport Public Library
• Pawtucket Public Library Providence
• Public Library (downtown) –
  • State Training Lab (11 machines)
  • Fox Point Branch
  • Knight Memorial Library
  • Mount Pleasant Branch
  • Olneyville Branch
  • Rochambeau Branch
  • Smith Hill Branch
  • South Providence Branch
  • Wanskuck Branch
  • Washington Park Branch
• West Warwick Public Library
• Woonsocket Harris Public Library, Fairmount Branch

A total of 120 individual computers, and a lab with 11 computers and server were awarded. Along with the computers, each library received

Libraries purchasing Gates Library Computers with their granted funds will receive:

Technical Support: The Foundation had a Technical Support Department dedicated solely to supporting libraries that purchase Gates Library Computers. Eligible Library Building Grant recipients you will received one year of unlimited technical support.

Training: Foundation trainers presented classes in RI to introduce library staff to the software and system configurations included with the Gates Library Computer and content server.

Publications: Each library building receiving Gates Library Computers also received a set of publications. The publications are specific to the Gates Library Computer and cover computer administration for library staff and application-specific and Internet information for patrons and staff.

Software: Gates Library Computers and content servers arrived pre-loaded with a rich array of software, including office, reference, and children’s titles. Selected software could be shared from the Gates Library Computer or the content server to existing public access computers that meet the minimum specifications. The software and upgrades consisted of:

• Windows 2000 Professional – Multi-Language version
• Office 2000 Premium (Powerpoint, Publisher, Word, Access, Excel)
• Multi-Language Internet Explorer 6
• Encarta 2003
• MapPoint
• Children’s: Scholastic Magic School Bus titles (4)

Upgraded Software

• Windows XP Professional – Multi-Language version
• Office XP Professional – Multi-Language version
• Publisher 2002 Streets & Trips 2004
• Encarta Reference Library 2004
• Children’s: Magic School Bus titles (7)