On Monday, November 24, 1997 Governor Jeanne Shaheen announced a $5 million initiative that will make Internet access and networking available to every K-12 school and public library in New Hampshire. Bell Atlantic-New Hampshire and Cabletron Systems, Inc., are funding the technology and services that will provide free high-speed Internet access and network connectivity for all schools and libraries that want it. The initiative, which came about as a result of the Governor's Education Summit, will enable many schools and libraries to enhance their technological capabilities or establish new computer connections for education and research.

"It will make a real difference for our elementary and high school students, as well as for people who use public libraries for education and research. Bell Atlantic and Cabletron have made a very generous and significant commitment to education in New Hampshire, and I hope this inspires other corporate citizens to get involved in providing technology to our schools," said Governor Shaheen.

State Librarian Kendall Wiggin called it an exciting day and a milestone for libraries. He said that we have not had such an opportunity to enhance the public's access to information since the public library movement swept through our state 100 years ago. To insure that libraries can take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to increase services to the public, the State Library will offer assistance with the application process as well as technical assistance and training in implementing Internet network capabilities in each library.

For its part, Bell Atlantic has committed $3 million to a plan which includes offering each K-12 school and library a new business telephone line or a high-capacity 56K frame relay circuit at no charge for two years, starting on March 1, 1998. Cabletron will provide $2 million in networking equipment and will also help the schools to develop individual technology plans. According to J. Michael Hickey, president and CEO of Bell Atlantic in New Hampshire, "This comprehensive $3 million plan will let students and library users throughout our territory sample and learn about the benefits of networking and Internet access."

Mr. Wiggin said that the ramifications for the New Hampshire Automated Information System have yet to be fully explored, but he expects that it will be the catalyst to move NHAIS forward. It levels the playing field for all libraries regardless of location, and will mean that more and more services can be delivered faster and easier without the limitations that are being imposed by the current NHAIS infrastructure. It will also greatly accelerate the time frame for meeting many of the objectives and goals contained in the NHAIS Strategic Plan and the LSTA Five-Year Plan. Both the NHAIS Board and the State Library Advisory Council will immediately begin reviewing these documents in light of the Bell Atlantic/Cabletron education initiative.

In the meantime, for more information regarding the program for libraries, call 1-800-499-1232 and press 5. The staff of the Electronic and Government Information Services Section will be coordinating the initiative for libraries.