Libraries get broadband stimulus grants | American Libraries Magazine

Libraries in six states are among the beneficiaries of the first round of awards from the $7.2-billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act broadband grant and loan programs. The initial $183 million in awards, going to 18 broadband projects in 17 states, was announced by Vice President Joseph Biden December 17 and detailed in a National Economic Council report (PDF file) issued that same day. Altogether, $2 billion will be released by early March, according to a White House press release.

Coincidentally, Biden’s announcement came two weeks after the American Library Association submitted comments (PDF file) to the Federal Communications Commission about libraries’ pivotal role in bridging the digital divide...