Savona Library wins Gates Foundation grant

ALBANY - The Savona Free Library last week announced that it has been awarded a $8,400 'Online Opportunity Grant' from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Savona Free Library is one of 421 public libraries in high need communities that will be able to purchase new computers through the $4.1 million grant.

The grants will be administered through the New York State Library. Libraries are required to provide matching funds to be eligible for the grants. The grant period runs through Dec. 31, 2009.

The Savona Library currently has three public internet computers that are accessed more than 1800 times per year. "Our patrons are very excited that we will be receiving new updated equipment in the near future," stated Library Director Jenny Peer.

Numerous public libraries struggle to keep pace with technology and rapidly increasing community demand for these services. A recent national survey revealed that four out of five public libraries say they do not have enough computers to meet their community's needs. Sixty percent of libraries report they have no plans to add public computers in the coming year, citing cost and space as major limiting factors. With nearly half of the nation's public libraries reporting decreased or flat public funding in 2006, inadequate technology services persist in many libraries