The last issue of Granite State Libraries announced that New Hampshire's public libraries are in line for substantial donations of computers, training and technical support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The N.H. State Library submitted the grant application to the Gates Foundation on November 30th. This application is the first step in qualifying New Hampshire's public libraries to be eligible for cash grants. The application outlined the members of the Public Library Leadership Coalition and described to the Gates Foundation the status of public access computing in our state, the ability for the State Library to provide technology training and the potential for sustaining the expense of library technology. The State Library will learn the status of its application in spring of 2001. Members of the Coalition include; Andrea Thorpe, Barbara Robarts, Cathleen Beaudoin, Janet Angus, John Brisbin, Margaret Marschner, Marilyn Nagy, Mary Ann List, Michael Vlacich, Nancy Ladd, Nancy Vincent, Randy Brough, Sherm Pridham, Titia Bozuwa, and William Butynski.

In addition to individual library buildings receiving high-end computers and software, New Hampshire will also qualify for one training lab, based on one library in the state serving more than 100,000 patrons. The lab will consist of eleven networked computers. The State Librarian in consultation with library leaders from the Coalition will determine the placement of the lab. The computer lab must be accessible to the public. The goal is to train staff and patrons in public access computing skills.

If you are planning an addition, a remodeling project or a new library building, think about whether your facility could accommodate and support a training lab and contact Michael York, State Librarian at 271-2397.