[Libs-Or] [Fwd: [alacro-l] U.S. Dept of Ag $100 million for Rural Public Libraries]

[Suzanne Sager]

FYI,

Suzanne L. Sager
Oregon ALA Chapter Councilor

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[alacro-l] U.S. Dept of Ag $100 million for Rural Public 
Libraries
Date: 	Mon, 1 Feb 2010 12:31:42 -0500
From: 	Michael Dowling <mdowling at ala.org>
To: 	ALACRO-L <alacro-l at ala.org>



To Chapters:

In case you missed it, an opportunity for rural libraries in your state.

Jan 27th

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Secretary of Agriculture has allocated $100 
million in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural 
Development Community Facilities funding for public libraries to provide 
educational opportunities and improve public services in rural 
communities. The funding will be provided primarily through the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

"In 78 percent of rural communities, the library is the sole provider of 
no-fee Internet access," Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the ALA 
Washington Office, said.

"This funding specifically set aside for rural libraries is a lifeline 
for communities across the country who depend on their local libraries 
for basic needs such as Internet access as well as assistance with 
e-government services, literacy and homework programs, and much more. We 
thank the USDA for its recognition of the vital role libraries play in 
rural communities and their need for funding."

Funds may be used to construct, enlarge or improve public libraries. 
This can include costs to acquire land needed for a facility, pay 
necessary professional fees and purchase equipment required for 
operation. Funds can be used to purchase shelving, furniture, computers, 
audio-visual equipment, distance learning equipment and bookmobiles.

Depending on funding availability, USDA Rural Development will provide 
up to $500,000 in additional Recovery Act dedicated grant funds to each 
of the State Offices for library projects.

For more information on the program and how to apply, see the USDA Rural 
Development fact sheet 
<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/USDA.pdf>. 

Or, to reach the USDA Rural Development contact for a specific state, 
visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/ -- adding the two-letter initial of the state 
to the end of the URL.

Contact: Jenni Terry <mailto://jterry@alawash.org>
Press Officer, ALA Washington Office

 

Michael Dowling

Director

International and Chapter Relations Offices

American Library Association

50 E Huron St

Chicago, IL, USA

p +1 800-545-2433 ext 3200

f  +1 312-280-4392

www.ala.org

 


-- 
Portland State University logo

Suzanne L. Sager
Library East, Cataloging
Portland State University

503-725-8169
503-725-5799
sagers at pdx.edu

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/libs-or/attachments/20100201/527a6800/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: psu_signature165x35.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 1469 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/libs-or/attachments/20100201/527a6800/attachment.gif>