Gates Foundation Awards Library Internet Grants to Speed up Access

With many not having internet access at home, this is big to allow more access to more citizens. Those who do not have access at home for example can visit the libraries and set up their own personal health records for a simple example and have immediate access to health related information. BD

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded nearly US$7 million to fund a pilot program aimed at helping public libraries in seven states get faster Internet connections, the foundation announced Thursday. The foundation awarded the money to Connected Nation, a national nonprofit program focused on bringing broadband to underserved areas, and to the American Library Association's Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP). The grants will support improved Internet connections for public libraries in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Virginia.