Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating unveils $2.5 million Gift from Bill and Melinda Gates

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating announced today that Oklahoma public libraries are receiving approximately $2.5 million in grants and services in the form of computers, Internet access and technical training for libraries in low-income communities from Bill and Melinda Gates.

The announcement was made at a press conference called by Governor Keating.

"Not since Andrew Carnegie has such a tremendous gift been given to Oklahomans in the form of assistance to libraries," the Governor said. "On behalf of the citizens of Oklahoma, I thank Bill and Melinda Gates for their generosity. This gift ensures that Oklahomans will have access to the latest information technologies through their public libraries."

Oklahoma is the 13th state to announce funding through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Library Initiative. The initiative provides hardware, technical support and library staff training to public libraries serving populations with poverty levels of 10 percent or higher. Libraries serving populations with lower than 10 percent poverty will still receive donated software, technical training and be eligible to purchase computers at a discounted rate.

Robert L. Clark, director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL), said 168 of 205 public library sites in the state will receive grants. In addition, Microsoft Corporation is donating $1.5 million in software to be used with the new computer workstations.

Clark said implementation of the grant will begin in September. Installation and staff training should be complete by the middle of the year 2000.

"These new computer workstations will be strictly for the public's use," Clark said. "ODL has worked to help public libraries in the state establish Internet access. But many smaller libraries have only one computer, which may be restricted for staff use. This grant ensures a public access point at these libraries."

Some of the grant funds will be used to establish four computer training labs in the state, to be located at McAlester Public Library (Southeastern Public Library System), Muskogee Public Library (Eastern Oklahoma District Library System), Norman Public Library (Pioneer Library System), and Tulsa Central Library (Tulsa City-County Library System).

Each lab will feature 10 public access computers for staff and patron training, a computer applications server, a laser printer and a large screen monitor for demonstrations. Computers in the lab will provide additional public access points to the Internet and software applications when the lab is not being used for training purposes.

The grant will also mean faster, more reliable Internet access in many cases. Fifty-six public library sites will have the opportunity to upgrade from dial-up access to digital access.

"That's one of the most exciting things about this grant," Waynoka Public Librarian Sue Whipple said. "Our existing computers will also have faster connections to the Internet. We're a rural community of 950 people, and our library will now be able to provide the type of Internet access people in larger communities enjoy."

The project to upgrade Internet access at the 56 libraries is indicative of the partnerships the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation forms when it works with the individual states. Grants provide Internet connection hardware for the library building, a building wiring allowance and a connection fee. Telecommunication line upgrades are being handled by OneNet, the state's telecommunications and information network, with reimbursements through the Oklahoma Universal Service Fund. OneNet is operated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in cooperation with the Office of State Finance.

"Melinda and I believe in bringing opportunity through technology and education to all people. We are pleased to support the efforts of so many wonderful librarians in Oklahoma to ensure that all people have the tools they need to learn and work in the 21st century," said foundation co-founder Bill Gates.