Libraries in Alabama have been awarded over $2.7 million in grants for new computer hardware from the Gates Library Foundation. Nearly every public library in the state—over 250 altogether—will benefit from the gift.
Alabama is the foundation's first "Statewide Library Partnership" in a $400-million commitment to bringing access to computers and digital information to patrons in low-income communities in the United States and Canada. Microsoft software has also been donated to each grant recipient.
In addition, each library will receive technical assistance and training from the Technology Resource Institute, a Seattle nonprofit organization funded by the foundation to act as its on-site and telephone technical support arm.
The foundation was established in June last year by Microsoft CEO Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates (see American Libraries, Aug. 1997, p. 14–15.)
Posted February 2, 1998.