VAN BUREN - The founder of Microsoft and his wife, Bill and Melinda Gates, have pledged funds for higher-speed internet access at Arkansas public libraries. 5NEWS looks at how this could affect your local library's need for speed.
The larger libraries like Fort Smith's aren't the ones that will be affected. It's the smaller, more rural libraries that need the upgrade--in this case to 1.5 meg. Some in the Delta are still using dial-up access, and that just isn't good enough for Gates.
"It cost us a lot of money to do that and most libraries do not have that if they're small libraries." Van Buren librarian Eva White says the Crawford County system upgraded to 1.5 meg about a year ago.
The cost for all five libraries added up to $36,000, but because of a government program they were out of pocket 10 grand. That's where the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's gift fits in. The money will be managed by the Arkansas State Library. Those that are eligible will receive a 50 percent matching gift. White hopes that the state will spring for the rest.
"Lots of people cannot afford to have a computer at home especially in our rural areas and we're the only place that has free access to the internet for those people."
Many of their patrons, she says, are going online to take classes or apply for work. Even those with a computer still prefer the low-key atmosphere of the library to the hustle and bustle of a coffee shop with wireless internet.
"Usually I go and I pick my mom up because she doesn't have internet at her house but it's really quiet here, and it's a lot easier to study." Brandie Somerville is planning to attend U.A. Fort Smith and major in pre-med. She's brushing up on medical terms.
White says the p-c's at all of their locations stay pretty busy. The announcement of the Gates' gift came at a conference in Little Rock last week.
Arkansas state lawmakers and officials from several cities also attended the event. White hopes they will help.
The larger libraries like Fort Smith's aren't the ones that will be affected. It's the smaller, more rural libraries that need the upgrade--in this case to 1.5 meg. Some in the Delta are still using dial-up access, and that just isn't good enough for Gates.
"It cost us a lot of money to do that and most libraries do not have that if they're small libraries." Van Buren librarian Eva White says the Crawford County system upgraded to 1.5 meg about a year ago.
The cost for all five libraries added up to $36,000, but because of a government program they were out of pocket 10 grand. That's where the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's gift fits in. The money will be managed by the Arkansas State Library. Those that are eligible will receive a 50 percent matching gift. White hopes that the state will spring for the rest.
"Lots of people cannot afford to have a computer at home especially in our rural areas and we're the only place that has free access to the internet for those people."
Many of their patrons, she says, are going online to take classes or apply for work. Even those with a computer still prefer the low-key atmosphere of the library to the hustle and bustle of a coffee shop with wireless internet.
"Usually I go and I pick my mom up because she doesn't have internet at her house but it's really quiet here, and it's a lot easier to study." Brandie Somerville is planning to attend U.A. Fort Smith and major in pre-med. She's brushing up on medical terms.
White says the p-c's at all of their locations stay pretty busy. The announcement of the Gates' gift came at a conference in Little Rock last week.
Arkansas state lawmakers and officials from several cities also attended the event. White hopes they will help.
