The libraries will provide resources and access to existing databases and the Humboldt County Office of Education will coordinate the project and be responsible for the distribution of donated computer equipment to schools. At least five local businesses are also willing to contribute resources and expertise and all of the school districts we have approached are eager to participate in this project. The Blackberry Bramble Network project is intended to facilitate the development of online telecommunications in the schools of at least three rural northern California Counties through the development of a database of local history. Although compiled and created by students, the completed database will be available to and useful for the whole community. The students will not only develop a sense of the history of their local area, but will learn to communicate and work together through an electronic network.
Any school is welcome to participate.
We anticipate that by planting the seeds of computer telecommunications in participating schools, that the concept will spread like the Blackberry vines that grow wild here on the Northcoast to all of our schools, eventually benefiting 1000 teachers and 21,837 students in Humboldt County alone. There are 50 school districts in Humboldt and adjacent counties and our long term goal is to connect our network with those in the other counties.