Gates Foundation staffs were particularly impressed by the high number of requests for Spanish-language computers from across the state. They commended you on your outreach to the state's Spanish-speaking population. The Foundation's U.S. Library Program works in partnership with public libraries to provide access to computers and the Internet for patrons in low-income communities in the United States. The program specifically targets public library buildings serving communities with a poverty rate of at least ten percent and provides hardware, software, technology training, and technical assistance. North Carolina is the first state to be implemented in Round Three of the program, with preliminary activities beginning in August 2000.
Library buildings are also eligible for staff training and technical support.
List of eligible library buildings in North Carolina Eligibility is based on the percentage of the library building's service population that is below the poverty level. Service population is defined as the population that lies within a specified radius of the individual library building. Every system with at least one eligible building will be invited. The library system's director is required to attend the workshop, and the building supervisor is encouraged to attend. Expenses associated with attending the workshop are the responsibility of the local library.