The Public Library - Downtown’s new high-speed Internet Café and small meeting rooms are one step closer to completion thanks to a $67,000 Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant.
In addition to increased computers and internet services in the Public Library - Downtown and computer lab services in the branches, the library’s South Chattanooga branch will receive wireless internet service for the first time.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant,” said David Clapp, library director. “The library’s vision of increased computer and high-speed Internet access for all library patrons is one step closer to becoming a reality. In today’s troubling economic climate, public libraries provide some patrons with their only access to computers and to the Internet. Students who require computer access to complete homework assignments have to take turns when there is only one computer in the household. Libraries can allow all family members computer access at one time. People who have lost their jobs, or have to cut household expenses, often can’t afford internet. Unemployment benefits and many job applications can only be accessed through the world-wide-web.”
Services provided by the internet café include laptop computers for patron use and electronic charging stations. The BTOP grant will provide the library with 40 laptops with MS Office 2007, Norton Anti-Virus 11.0, and WinWay Resume Deluxe software; 6 Lexmark Laser Printers and the internet connectivity hardware, software and installation needed for use.
Once all the equipment is delivered, it will take library staff approximately three months to install and set-up new expanded internet service. In addition, new meeting rooms next to the café will be created and wired for computer and internet use.
Small and new businesses will benefit from this service as will students, job seekers, seniors and those with limited or no internet service.
Chattanooga’s library currently serves over 101,000 registered cardholders and its website receives over three million successful web requests every month. A nation-wide library computer survey revealed an estimated 30 million people received help with careers, with 75 percent reporting they searched for a job online. Other findings show 37 percent focused on health issues. The vast majority of these users logged on to learn about a disease, illness or medical condition. An estimated 12 million students used local library computers to do homework.
BTOP grants are made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and were created to establish public computer centers with enhanced broadband access for all Americans.