The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded OCLC a three-year, $9-million grant May 2 to build a Web-based, public-access computing portal for public libraries and other organizations that provide open access to information. The new portal will build on the foundation’s five-year-old U.S. Library Program, which provides computers with Internet access to more than 10,000 libraries across the country.
The portal will be designed to serve the needs of public libraries in managing hardware and software, implementing advanced applications, training staff and patrons, and delivering digital library services. It will enhance existing computer systems by helping to establish a community of librarians who can share the resources and information necessary to provide public-access computing.
Content will serve five critical areas: continuing education, technical support, purchasing, capacity building, and community building. It will host a range of services and tools, such as online tutorials, training modules, Webcasting, message boards, and expert assistance.
OCLC will work with four partners that will contribute the necessary skills to successfully design, develop, and operate the portal: the Colorado State Library, the Benton Foundation, courseware developer Isoph, and nonprofit Web portal TechSoup.
Posted May 6, 2002.