Funding Internet Access
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced in September, 2000 that several Wisconsin libraries will share a total of $3.1 million in grants to serve low-income and rural populations. The State Superintendent, Elizabeth Burmaster, said "These grants will help our public libraries meet the growing demand from their patrons for more Internet accessible computers and help bridge the digital divide in lower-income areas of our state." The grants will provide computers and printers for Wisconsin libraries. Additionally, seven libraries will receive computer labs for hands-on training for patrons and staff. http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/edforum/ef0602_2.html

Milwaukee Public Library Technology Center
The SBC Foundation awarded the Milwaukee Public Library a $50,000 grant in September, 2002. This grant will be used to support a Technology Center in the city's new Washington Park Library. The Technology Center will be used to assist the community through technology access. The center will provide patrons with education which will aid "he workforce development and community development initiatives in low-income and under-served communities." http://www.mpl.org/File/news_sbc.htm

Indianhead Federated Library System
The Rural Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded eight small libraries in rural Wisconsin $49,000. The "USDA is helping to close the digital divide through programs such as this, which ensure that rural Americans have full access to advances in information technology," said Jill Long Thompson, USDA under secretary for rural development. Bryce Luchterhand, Wisconsin State Director for USDA Rural Development, said that new technology is "helping overcome the barriers of rural isolation." The libraries receiving grant monies are part of the Indianhead Federated Library System. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/newsroom/2000/rurallib.htm

Assistive Technology
The Waukesha Public Library offers many different types of assistive technology devices for their patrons. Visually impaired patrons have access to a PC with voice synthesis and screen enlargement software as well as a closed circuit television print enlarger. In order to serve their deaf and hard of hearing patrons, the library has available Telecommunications Display Device (TDD) and assistive listening devices. http://www.waukesha.lib.wi.us/as/tech.shtml