Libraries: Changing Lives, Transforming Communities | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

One in three people in the U.S. do not have home access to the internet. See how libraries are changing the way we connect.

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/united...

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  Nonprofits & Activism

[pinyinhead]

TYPO CORRECTION: The computer should ask for a network administrator when the person logs onto pornographic sites. that would deter it much.

[pinyinhead]

One issue they need to address is PORNOGRAPHY. How many times have i caught men masturbating IN PUBLIC with kids playing 25 - 50 feet away! I reported two of them and a third man (approx. 75-80 years old) was looking at blatant porn with a teen girl sitting right next to him! The librarian banned him! It should not be her responsibility. The computer ask for a network administrator when the person logs onto these sites. that would deter it much.

[Ted Garvin]

They don't -need- Internet. They live near the ocean and the exposed beauty more than makes up for their lack. Of course, how will they share the beautiful pictures/video w/o Internet.

[ETSubmariner]

Libraries extinct? We started the whole thing called civilization. Collectors gathered their baubles and bits, cataloged them, labeled them, and the moment they asked their friend to come see, they became librarians. Libraries preserve the integrity of civilization, and if that means we're virtual and material in varying degrees, then that's what we will be. Even if every library on Earth closed tomorrow, along would come another gatherer/collector and the whole process would start again.

[Sharon Rowe]

One of these libraries in the video was built using seed money from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. And now their contribution has come full circle. Amazing.

[aclibrarylady]

As a librarian in a small, rural TX community, I can attest to the activities which patrons perform on a daily basis on our internet accessible computers. Every scenario mentioned in the video occurs all the time at our library. It is sad when there aren't enough public access computers. However, sometimes it is a matter of space and staffing issues. Our library has 6 public access computers and 1 staff member. We do have a time limit and that does help. Thanks Gates Foundation for everything!

[Amy K. Marshall]

♥ The potential is truly staggering in rural communities. ♥

[zassounotsukushi]

I strongly support the effort to make computers more available in public libraries. It's a major problem - you can't get one. Go to a public library where I am and there is a huge line and the computers are extremely sub par. I don't think our politics has been doing this a favor. It's almost like there's no such thing as a public good anymore. Too many people out there need access and can't get it. It's sad and it's hurting us.