Universal Broadband Access Grant Program

Grant Application Forms for Public Library Systems - Due August 4, 2008!

Press Release
Governor Paterson Announces Grants for Universal Broadband

The Universal Broadband Access Grant Program is administered by the New York State Office for Technology. It is intended to provide access to high-speed, affordable broadband access for citizens, businesses, and visitors; help create jobs through innovative community-based digital literacy and technology training programs; close the digital divide and increase digital literacy levels in unserved and underserved urban and rural communities; foster economic development and build stronger public/private partnerships; and accelerate the use of state e-government services offered through the Internet for citizens, businesses, and visitors to New York State. Information on the grant program is available at www.oft.state.ny.us/oft/UniversalBroadband/overview.htm

The State Library will partner with public library systems and the New York Library Association in a statewide collaboration to enhance broadband access in public libraries that serve both urban and rural high-need areas of the state.

Bringing Broadband to New York’s Libraries is intended to enhance electronic information resources for New Yorkers…

• by creating broadband access in libraries in high-need communities currently lacking any kind of reliable Internet access in accordance with state-prescribed minimum connectivity standards;
  
• by upgrading broadband access (including voice service and wireless access) in public libraries serving high-need communities in accordance with state-prescribed minimum connectivity standards;
  
• by helping libraries in high-need communities establish Community Technology Centers that offer digital literacy training and services (including e-government services) according to state-prescribed standards and identified best practices.

State Library Grant Application

If you have specific questions about the project, contact Mary Linda Todd, Library Development Specialist, New York State Library, at (518) 486-4858 or mtodd@mail.nysed.gov.

Last modified on April 8, 2008-- asm
For questions or comments contact Linda Todd
URL: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/broadbnd/index.html