Ninety-nine percent of U.S. public libraries now offer free access to computers and the Internet. Building on this success, we worked with many committed partners to develop a new five-year grantmaking strategy to help libraries serving low-income communities stay connected. We launched the new strategy in January 2007.

Serving Those Most in Need
For the millions of people who don’t have computers and Internet connections at home, public libraries level the playing field by providing a critical link to technology. Patrons can rely on the library for access to the essential online tools they need to seek information on health, education, employment, and government services, and to communicate with family and friends. They can also find training on how to effectively use these technology tools.

But many libraries are struggling to maintain high-quality technology services. In communities nationwide, patrons can face long waiting lines for outdated computers or Internet connections that are not fast enough to accommodate complex Web sites and large computer files.

We are working to reduce these inequities in the quality of computer and Internet services. In 2007 and beyond, we will support public libraries that serve communities with high concentrations of poverty and are at risk of having their technology services become outdated.

How We’re Helping
To help ensure public libraries can sustain free computer and Internet access, we are:

• Providing Opportunity Online hardware grants to replace and add public computers in communities with the greatest need
  
  
• Developing Opportunity Online connectivity grants to support high-speed Internet connections
  
  
• Investing in nationwide technical training and support
  
  
• Providing advocacy grants for training, tools, and research