In The News

By Todd Staples, Texas commissioner of agriculture
Dallas Morning News: Letters to the Editor

As the Internet continues to bring the world to our fingertips, solid economic strength and security requires rural populations to have the same access to information and opportunity as their neighbors in big cities.

A first step toward achieving this access is extending broadband service to the hubs -- health care facilities, businesses, schools and libraries.

One initiative leading the effort toward wider Internet access is the Opportunity Online project. Born of a partnership between the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the Gates Foundation, the Opportunity Online broadband grant program helps libraries improve broadband resources and develop strategies for ensuring the communities they serve stay connected into the future.
Through this program, rural libraries are able to help communities keep pace on the information highway while staying competitive in business, education, employment and more. Opportunity for future generations should not be framed by city limits. Creativity and innovation know no boundaries and neither should the opportunities that foster them.

As a member of the Opportunity Online Summit Advisory Group and having seen firsthand what a valuable resource libraries are for communities across Texas, I am proud to support the Opportunity Online grant program. I encourage local leaders to get more information about the project and tap into its potential.

Link to letter here.

October 20, 2009
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Shhh!

Librarians are raising their voices when it comes to giving Americans broad access to information sources on the Internet.

This month, the Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy recommended public-private support for libraries as vital "centers for information, training and civic dialogue."

On Oct. 8, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission convened a summit on improving online access for library patrons.

Texas and six other states are involved in a pilot project funded by the Gates Foundation to build better Internet connections in public libraries. With a better idea of their needs, the states can apply for Gates grants to install faster Internet connections.

Link to editorial

SpeedMatters.com
Deep in the heart of Texas, a comprehensive effort is underway to improve and expand broadband access for the state's public libraries.
Link to Article

Longview News Journal
Longview Public Library employees have a new attitude about providing computer and technology services to their patrons after attending a broadband summit this week, and officials say they are more committed than ever

Austin Business Journal
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission convened a meeting in San Antonio to launch a new strategy to improve Internet access in public libraries.

Information Today
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a pilot initiative designed to help public libraries in seven states secure faster internet connections so more people can access a full range of online applications and opportunities. The foundation has awarded $6,959,771 in combined grant funding to Connected Nation, a nonprofit broadband internet advocacy group, and the American Library Association Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) to support improved internet connections for public libraries in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, and Virginia.
Link to Article

All Business
SEATTLE -- A pilot initiative announced today by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will help public libraries in seven states secure.
Link to Article