Libraries extending efforts to secure federal money for high-speed Internet

As the need for high-speed Internet access grows, America's public libraries have begun to step up efforts to secure federal funding to upgrade their own network infrastructure.

Our public libraries provide vital services to low-income communities. From career counseling sessions to Internet access, more and more unemployed workers - most of them recently laid off - are taking advantage of jobs resources at the library. In fact, computer usage at libraries nationwide has skyrocketed.

An American Library Association study released in March revealed 73 percent of libraries report they are the only source of free Internet access in their community. One example of such usage increases comes from Delaware County, Pa., where usage rates have skyrocketed but the costs to connect all of its 25 branches to a fiber-optic network have been prohibitively high.

According to the American Library Association, the situation in Delaware County is far from rare and such shortages have prompted the organization to begin lobbying efforts for some $7.2 billion in federal stimulus money to be used exclusively in expanding broadband access in libraries across the country.

The library association is arguing that such grants to libraries would be the way to extend high-speed service to the greatest number of people - intoning one of President Obama's stated technological goals for America.

In Delaware County, county officials have already decided to connect eight of its 25 branches, but the cost to provide the fiber-optic network to just 1/3 of its locations could cost as much as $300,000. That's a huge amount for a county whose entire budget is only $3 million.

Currently, the library request is just one of many seeking federal funds. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is hard at work creating a set of criteria for evaluating the numerous grant applications that have been steadily flowing in since the announcement of the federal stimulus package. While some groups favor strategies such as updating library networks, others believe the focus should be on getting high-speed access into people's homes.

"We have a national opportunity to put poor people first when it comes to broadband," said Rey Ramsey, chairman of the non-profit organization One Economy Corp. "The best way to do that is to provide an avenue that mirrors what middle-income and upper-income people have - and that's home access."

Libraries seek federal money for Hi-Speed Internet (RedOrbit)

American Library Association

One Economy Corp.