Libraries Seek Federal Money For Broadband

The American Library Association lobbying for some of the $7.2 billion in federal broadband 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 support of their petition, the organization released statistics showing that almost 60 percent of associated libraries were unable to meet bandwidth demands during peak hours of use. The same report stated that 70 percent of the libraries claimed to be their community's only free public source of Internet access. "If the government's goal is to make sure everyone has access to broadband, the most fiscally responsible way to do that is attaching fiber to the libraries," said Emily Sheketoff, head of the association's Washington office. "By investing under $1 billion, you could hook up every public library in the country at high speed." Libraries and other public facilities are already penciled in to receive $200 million in the stimulus package. Additionally, the federal E-rate program already supplies public schools and libraries with funds for improving technological infrastructure. Library advocates have countered, however, with claims that they provide a vital service to low-income communities, particularly now as more and more unemployed citizens are turning to the Internet to search and apply for jobs - a pattern that has become increasingly prominent as the recession has begun to permeate all areas of the country.