SPRINGFIELD –– Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded more than $1.1 million in Educate and Automate technology grants to 106 Illinois libraries to help them establish or expand their network capabilities.
White said 57 libraries will receive grants to purchase and install new local area networks. Forty-nine (49) libraries will receive funds to expand or enhance existing local and wide area networks. Both types of grants are matching grants, with the Illinois State Library providing 50 percent of the total project cost to a maximum of $30,000. Recipients provide the remaining 50 percent and any additional funds that may be required.
"The Educate and Automate Program is helping Illinois libraries develop and fulfill their critical technology and digital imaging needs," White said. "These grants will help local libraries develop and expand electronic library networks to interact with other librarians, to meet the needs of patrons and provide greater access to important electronic information.
"Many of our local libraries cannot afford to pay for such technology improvements on their own. I am pleased to be able to help local libraries develop telecommunications and networking solutions that address the important technological needs of our citizens."
The grants are competitive and available to all types of libraries that are members of Illinois' regional library systems.
FY2002 Educate & Automate Wireless Local Area Network Awarded Grants
