Botswana
Throughout Botswana, public libraries are important centers where information is available and the community can gather. To increase access to health and other essential information, especially in rural areas, we have invested $731,878 to help Botswana create a plan to provide free access to computers and the Internet in public libraries.
Our grantee, the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships, Inc. (ACHAP), will develop the plan. ACHAP will assess local community needs, public library infrastructure, and Internet connectivity, and will gauge the training needs of library staff and communities.
The grant will also fund a pilot project in 2008, working in close collaboration with key government agencies in charge of libraries and information technology. After successfully completing a plan and pilot project, Botswana's libraries would be eligible for an additional grant to implement a nationwide program.
Latvia
People living in rural Latvia have few opportunities to realize the social and economic benefits of computer and Internet access, and libraries serving rural communities need better and more reliable Internet connections. We are partnering with Latvia by investing $16.2 million to help public libraries provide free access to computers, the Internet, and training. The Latvian government has committed more than $21 million to the overall program. Our partner, Microsoft, donated $7.9 million in software.
By the end of 2008, 3,833 new computers in Latvia's 874 public libraries will be connected to the Internet, and 17 libraries will be connected for the first time. To meet increasing demand, every public library will have three or more computers with broadband and wireless Internet connections. In addition, more than 1,400 librarians will receive the training they need to help library users integrate these tools into their daily lives.
Lithuania
The Republic of Lithuania is making significant investments in public libraries so more citizens have access to information technology, especially in rural areas where only one in four homes is connected to the Internet. However, more than half of the public libraries still lack adequate services, and librarians need training so they can help library users benefit from new technology.
After Lithuania completed a planning process in 2007, we partnered with the Ministry of Culture to jointly fund Libraries for Innovation, a program to help 851 public libraries throughout the country provide information technology access. The foundation has committed $15.2 million to this effort, Lithuania's government has committed $10.1 million to this effort, and Microsoft will donate more than $7 million worth of software for 4,108 library computers. In addition to connecting 404 libraries to the Internet for the first time, the program will provide training for 1,900 librarians who will help library users access new technology and integrate it into their daily lives.
Romania
Today, just 20 percent of Romanians have Internet connections at home—and most people with access live in cities. There are only 400 computers connected to the Internet in Romania's 2,800 libraries, and librarians need training to help people use and benefit from the technology. To ensure that more people in rural areas have access to vital online information and services, we provided a $1,378,818 grant in 2007 to create a plan for public libraries to expand access to information technology.
The International Research and Exchange Board (IREX), an international nonprofit, will develop the plan by working with national and local partners, from the Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs to public library associations; from librarians to local governments. IREX will conduct pilot projects in five counties to test local technology solutions.
After successfully creating a plan in 2008, Romania's libraries would be eligible for additional funding to purchase and install computers and Internet connections, and provide training in 1,500 or more of its public libraries. Funding would be contingent on a matching financial commitment from the national and local government.
Ukraine
In Ukraine, just one person in 10 has access to the Internet. To give more people the opportunity to realize the social and educational benefits that access to information technology and training enables, we provided a $781,229 grant in 2007 to the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), an international nonprofit.
Working in partnership with the Ukrainian Library Association and the Ministries of Culture, Communication, Agriculture, and Health, IREX will create a plan to help some of Ukraine's 18,000 public libraries provide free access to computers, the Internet, and training to help librarians and patrons benefit from information technology access.
After successfully completing a plan in 2008, we will consider providing additional funding to help a number of Ukraine's public libraries purchase and install computers and Internet connections and provide training in the communities they serve. Funding would be contingent on a joint financial commitment from government.