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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Contact: Brandie Baumann, Communications Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><a href="mailto:bcrpress@bcr.org">bcrpress@bcr.org</a>;
303.751.6277, ext 110 <br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>BCR, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">MEMBER</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">STATE</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
LIBRARIES PARTNER TO ADMINISTER BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION GRANTS <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Aurora</span></font></st1:City><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>, <st1:State
w:st="on">CO</st1:State>, August 25, 2008 -- BCR has been selected to serve as
intermediary to administer and manage the <a
href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/UnitedStates/USLibraryProgram/Announcements/Announce-080715.htm">Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online grants</a> in three states,
partnering with the BCR member state library agencies of <st1:State w:st="on">Alaska</st1:State>,
<st1:State w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State> and <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Washington</st1:place></st1:State>. The grant program will help
eligible public libraries in each of these states upgrade computer hardware in
communities with high concentrations of poverty that are at risk of having
outdated technology. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Twenty-eight libraries in <st1:State w:st="on">Alaska</st1:State>,
106 in <st1:State w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State> and 87 in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Washington</st1:State></st1:place> have been designated recipients
of the grants. Eligible libraries must obtain local funding commitments that
demonstrate community support for maintaining computer upgrades. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Librarians participating in the program also are required
to attend a professional development conference focused on advocacy, to help
them build the skills and confidence they need to raise awareness about the
value of their libraries and increase local support. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>This is the second of three rounds of Opportunity Online
grants. More than 800 library branches in Alaska, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island,
Virginia and Washington state are eligible in this round. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>The first round of Opportunity Online grants were awarded
in October 2007 to Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Nevada, New
York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. A third round is scheduled for 2009 for
libraries in <st1:State w:st="on">Hawaii</st1:State>, <st1:State w:st="on">Illinois</st1:State>,
<st1:State w:st="on">Indiana</st1:State>, <st1:State w:st="on">Minnesota</st1:State>,
<st1:State w:st="on">Missouri</st1:State>, <st1:State w:st="on">Nebraska</st1:State>,
<st1:State w:st="on">North Dakota</st1:State>, <st1:State w:st="on">Ohio</st1:State>,
<st1:State w:st="on">South Dakota</st1:State>, <st1:State w:st="on">Vermont</st1:State>
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Wisconsin</st1:State></st1:place>.
The remaining 18 states are not eligible for Opportunity Online hardware grants
due to their participation in the foundation’s Public Access Computing
Hardware Upgrade Grant program in 2006. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>To date, the foundation has invested $325 million in
grants and other support to install and sustain computers in libraries and
train thousands of library staff in all 50 states and U.S territories.
Opportunity Online hardware grants are expected to be the last grants given by
the foundation to fund computer upgrades in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place> public libraries with
vulnerable technology, but the foundation continues to support libraries
through investments in Internet connectivity, research, training and advocacy.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>ABOUT BCR<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>BCR brings libraries together for greater success by
expanding their knowledge, reach and power. They offer a broad range of
solutions and their hands-on, personal attention to each <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>member enables them to deliver effective and timely
solutions that help libraries keep pace <br>
with new developments in technology and services. BCR is the nation’s
oldest and most<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>established multistate library cooperative. Since 1935,
the BCR team has helped libraries <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>learn new skills, reach patrons, increase productivity and
save money. BCR (<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Bibliographical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType> for Research) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit
headquartered in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Aurora</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Colorado</st1:State></st1:place>. For more information, visit <a
href="http://www.bcr.org/">www.BCR.org</a> or e-mail <a
href="mailto:info@BCR.org">info@BCR.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>ABOUT THE BILL & MELINDA GATES
FOUNDATION<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy,
productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving
people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of
hunger and extreme poverty. In the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place>, it seeks to ensure
that all people -- especially those with the fewest resources -- have access to
the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Seattle</st1:City></st1:place>, the foundation is
led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the
direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. More information is
available at <a href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/">www.gatesfoundation.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Brandie Baumann</span></font></b></strong><b><font
size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold'><br>
<strong><b><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>Communications
Coordinator</span></font></b></strong></span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>BCR</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>14394 E. Evans Ave.</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2><span style='font-size:
10.0pt'>Aurora</span></font></st1:City><font size=2><span style='font-size:
10.0pt'>, <st1:State w:st="on">CO</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">80014-1408</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><br>
<strong><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>p:</span></font></b></strong><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>
303.751.6277 x110<br>
800.397.1552<br>
<strong><b><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>f:</span></font></b></strong>
303.751.9787<br>
<strong><b><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>e</span></font></b></strong>:
</span></font><a href="mailto:bbaumann@bcr.org" title="mailto:bbaumann@bcr.org"><font
size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>bbaumann@bcr.org</span></font></a><br>
<a href="http://www.BCR.org" title="http://www.bcr.org/"><font size=2><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>www.BCR.org</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 face="Monotype Corsiva"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Monotype Corsiva"'>He who has a garden and
a library wants for nothing. - <ns0:City w:insAuthor="Brandie Baumann"
w:insDate="2008-08-25T14:58:00Z" w:endInsAuthor="Brandie Baumann"
w:endInsDate="2008-08-25T14:58:00Z"><ns0:place w:insAuthor="Brandie Baumann"
w:insDate="2008-08-25T14:58:00Z" w:endInsAuthor="Brandie Baumann"
w:endInsDate="2008-08-25T14:58:00Z"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cicero</st1:place></st1:City></ns0:place></ns0:City>
-</span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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