For Immediate Release
Contact: Tia Towe Freeman
(757) 664-7338

NPL RECEIVES BILL & MELINDA GATES’ GRANT TO UPGRADE COMPUTER HARDWARE ON PUBLIC COMPUTERS

Norfolk, VA (December 1, 2005) - The Norfolk Public Library has received a $69,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to upgrade computers previously granted by the foundation. The grant will allow the library to sustain free, high quality access to computers and the Internet for library patrons.

Millions of Americans rely on library computers to do research for school or work, take distance-learning classes, find health information, communicate with family and friends, and keep up with current events. In communities with lower incomes, libraries often provide the only Internet access. “Computer and Internet access has become one of the key services that our patrons demand most,” according to Library Director Norman Maas. “It is critical that we have the resources necessary to sustain this service so that our libraries can help Norfolk citizens access the information they need to live engaged, successful lives.” The grant is part of the foundation's U.S. Library Program, which supports the efforts of public libraries to offer free access to computers, the Internet, and digital information in communities throughout the United States.

Due to technology advances, upgrades to the software and hardware now are required to ensure that all libraries are able to sustain the initial investment in connectivity for their patrons. “Libraries deserve to have the necessary resources to provide library patrons with efficient technology,” said Martha Choe, director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Libraries program.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Tia Towe Freeman
(757) 664-7338

 

LIBRARY RECEIVES BOOKS FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDER TRAINING

Norfolk, VA (December 1, 2005 )- To further the education of child care providers in our community, Norfolk Public Library has received a special set of 30 books. A grant to the Library of Virginia from The Virginia Department of Social Services Division of Child Care Licensing made the purchase of this set of books possible. There are six adult titles and 24 children’s titles in each set.

The Division of Child Care Licensing chose the books to help child care providers expand their knowledge of early literacy development, and to improve their ability to use children’s books in the daily care of children from birth to three years of age. This effort coincides with a new state regulation that requires all child care providers to complete 16 hours of continuing education a year, up from the previous requirement of 8 hours. The Division of Child Care Licensing is working on a curriculum guide for the collection that will contain individualized lesson plans for self-study.

Some of the titles in the set are Reading Begins at Home, A Good Start in Life, and Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children’s Reading Success.

Children’s books in the set include Goodnight Moon, Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young, On Mother’s Lap, and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

For additional information contact: Pat Muller, Children’s and Youth Services Consultant, Library of Virginia, 804-692-3765 or Debra O’Neill, Training Coordinator, Virginia Department of Social Services, 804-726-7648 or Terri Raymond, Youth Services Coordinator, Norfolk Public Library, 757-664-7323 ext. 47348.

###