Press Releases

SACRAMENTO - The California State Library assembled nearly 200 public library leaders, community supporters, broadband providers, and local and state leaders for California’s Opportunity Online Broadband Summit, on December 14 -15, 2009, in Sacramento to discuss how to improve and sustain quality Internet access in California public libraries.
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SEATTLE -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today committed nearly $3.4 million in grants to bolster Internet connections for libraries in five states. It also announced partnerships with 14 additional states to help public libraries compete for federal broadband stimulus funds. Nationally, libraries report that patron demand for high-speed Internet access is growing faster than their ability to provide increased bandwidth. A recent American Library Association study reports that 60 percent of all libraries say their current Internet speed is insufficient.
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Sacramento, CA - The California State Library will host a state summit this December in Sacramento for library directors, community supporters and state stakeholders to examine the current state of connectivity in California public libraries and to determine how best to improve and sustain free, quality Internet connectivity in the state’s public libraries. California residents rely on high-speed Internet connectivity in public libraries to find jobs, take online courses, or get important government forms, yet some libraries do not offer Internet connections fast enough to meet the needs of their communities.
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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

SEATTLE -- A pilot initiative announced today by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will help public libraries in seven states secure faster Internet connections so more people can access a full range of online applications and opportunities.