Omaha Public Library will celebrate grant-funded technology upgrades

All are invited to an open house at W. Dale Clark Main Library, 215 S. 15th St., on Thursday, Oct. 25, 4-6 p.m., to celebrate new equipment purchased with funding from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). 

The Nebraska Library Commission was awarded $3.6 million to upgrade public computer centers across the state with 147 Nebraska library buildings benefiting from the grant. This project was supported in part by the Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as administered by the Nebraska Library Commission. The three-year project is designed to expand broadband capacity; upgrade public computing resources in libraries; and advance access to employment, learning, health information and E-Government services. Seven Omaha Public Library (OPL) branches received new equipment. 

The Omaha Public Library Foundation contributed additional funding for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) computer stations, and equipment for the visually and hearing impaired. As a result, all 12 OPL branches are now equipped with TTY (text telephone) devices and have Ruby video magnifiers available for lending. SARA™ CE (Scanning And Reading Appliance Camera Edition) readers and Topaz desktop video magnifiers are also available at four OPL branches. 

"When libraries provide broadband to communities, they can deliver valuable online opportunities that help people find jobs, further their education, and access important government information. We hope that this BTOP award and the project it supports will help other public and private funders to understand the importance of investing in public technology access at Nebraska's libraries," said Jill Nishi, deputy director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's U.S. Libraries program.

Visit omahalibrary.org for information about additional programs offered at Omaha Public Library’s 12 metro locations.