Delaware Governor Signs
Library Technology Act
Delaware Governor Thomas Carper signed into law the Public Library Technology Assistance Act July 16, providing libraries with grants for up to 50% of the cost of technology projects. State Librarian Tom Sloan said that in the initial year the funds will be targeted at year-2000 compliance and efforts to upgrade libraries' computing and telecommunications structures to support graphical services.
In addition, said Sloan, the 139th General Assembly upped the state's share of matching funds for public library construction from 40% to 50%, offering $12 million for building projects; boosted per-capita state aid to $2.43 (it has now more than doubled since 1992); and allocated $602,000 for digital resources for schools and public libraries.
Sloan attributed the expression of support to a genuine interest in libraries by both the governor and the legislators, adding that "The library community has done an outstanding job of articulating their needs."
Posted July 20, 1998.
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