The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is developing a new partnership opportunity to improve access to high-quality technology services in public libraries across the country. As part of this effort, the Foundation has launched a nationwide survey to collect detailed information about public library Internet connectivity. We are encouraging all Nebraska public libraries to participate in this data collection effort to help raise awareness of the need for high-speed Internet access in our libraries and to devise ways to meet this need.
This is the first accurate assessment of Internet speed in public libraries ever done on a national basis and each state will receive the information gathered, which can be used to help lobby for improvements in Internet access at the state level. If each state participates, there is the possibility of increased recognition for libraries and the important role they play in our society. The Gates Foundation will use the information they collect through this research to coordinate nationwide efforts to improve Internet connectivity for libraries.
We want to thank those libraries that have completed their surveys and urge all others to participate as soon as possible. The Gates Foundation would like to have all data submitted by the end of January, 2009.
Contact
John Felton, Planning and Data Services Coordinator, for more information about this project.
Download the survey in Excel format.
Download the survey in Word format
Read a [ obsolete link removed ] letter about the project from Rod Wagner, Nebraska Library Commission Director.
