Colorado Libraries and ARRA

The Colorado State Library continues to update Colorado libraries about ARRA via http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/LibraryDevelopment/PublicLibraries/ARRA.htm

Below is a message State Library Executive Director Gene Hainer sent to public library directors this week:

Three updates to the ARRA page on www.ColoradoStateLibrary.org:

1. Several months ago a firm related to the B&M Gates’ Foundation contacted you or your IT staff to gather data about broadband access, speed, funding, oversight and other elements in Colorado libraries. The results of that effort are posted on the ARRA site, http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/LibraryDevelopment/PublicLibraries/ARRA.htm.

2. Besides the full excel sheet with 98% of the state’s libraries included, there is a one-page overview that may be helpful for your Boards, civic leaders, or vendors.

While some of the data may be incorrect or out of date, Gates isn’t making corrections. If you desire a fix to the master sheet for all to see, send the change and it will be done/reposted. Optionally, save and make the change for your facility; notification to the CSL isn’t necessary unless of a significant nature.

3. The quicky-survey circulated to all last month has been posted, with data pulled from the recently-posted PL report.This shows service needs around 4 main ARRA-eligible goals, plus cost estimates for addressing those needs. This is hardly scientific, but offers a snapshot of where ARRA could be applied for service improvements to residents. Page one is the quick view; page two has more detailed information.

Related: ALA and Gates held a joint conference around Broadband funding last week in DC, attend by Joel Robinson of Marmot and me. Slides, plus video highlights of the event are located at www.ala.org/knowyourstimulus (look under the large streaming ARRA 101 video, but may move). Most useful: remarks by John Windhausen and Linda Shotz regarding the outlook for the broadband application process, scheduled for late June. Also note picture 10.