PROVIDENCE – OSHEAN Inc. and Ocean State Libraries (OSL) have been awarded $1.2 million in federal stimulus funds and $400,000 from the Champlin Foundations to expand broadband Internet access in the state’s public libraries.
The National Telecommunication & Information Administration (NTIA) announced that the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant will be used to expand the libraries’ capacity to provide Internet access, online training and employment workshops to the public.
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“In our modern economy, computer literacy and Internet access are critical to every member of Rhode Island’s work force,” said U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, D-R.I. “These funds will create greater opportunities for all Rhode Islanders and position the state to compete more effectively for years to come.”
The combined $1.6 million in grants will be used by OSHEAN and OSL to replace 327 existing computers and to add more than 400 new workstations in Rhode Island libraries. The improvements are expected to expand library service by 6,900 additional users per week.
OSHEAN board Chairman Joseph Pangborn said “We are pleased to receive the initial library grant and thank our congressional delegation for its help, in particular [Sen. Jack] Reed and [Rep. James R.] Langevin. We look forward to continuing to pursue other important stimulus grants that will allow us to proceed with our initiatives to expand our network and to bring broadband capacity to OSHEAN members and the public they serve.”
The nonprofit library consortium also has plans to submit an application for a second grant in March. This second broadband infrastructure grant, worth nearly $30 million, would provide direct broadband service to institutions across Rhode Island, including hospitals, universities and community health centers.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided $7.2 billion in funds to NTIA and the Rural Utilities Service to expand broadband service and access to the public.
The Champlin Foundations are three charities that share a single management. They were established in 1932, 1947 and 1975 by Rhode Island natives George S. Champlin, Florence C. Hamilton and Hope C. Neaves.
