Library Public Access Computing Program : A Step Towards eParticipation in Latvia

1. Library Public Access Computing Program:A Step Towards eParticipation in Latvia Līga Kursīte Project Coordinator and Manager’s Assistant Library Public Access Computing Program in Latvia Baltic IT&T, Riga, 20 April 2007

2. Project History • Autumn 2005: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation invites Latvia to apply for funding • Autumn 2006: Latvia submits full project proposal to the Foundation • November 2006: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commits $16.2 million to expand access to computers and the Internet Latvia project represents one of the first grants offered to an EasternEuropean country

3. Project Implementing Institutions in Latvia • The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia www.km.gov.lv. • The State Agency Culture Information Systems (CIS) www.kis.gov.lv.

4. Project Goal Provision of free access computers and internet to inhabitants of Latvia in all public libraries of the country, as well as training of librarians in customer consulting skills on work with ICT

5. The Grant is Providing Resources • to connect all Latvian public librariesto the Internet with broadband connections • to build a wi-fi network forlibrary users • to provide approximately three computers per library tomeet an anticipated high demand • to offer basic computer training tolibrary patrons • to provide training to librarians

6. Building Partnerships Project Advisory Panel: • the Latvian National Library Foundation • the Latvian Information Technology and Telecommunications Association • the Association of Latvian Local Municipalities • the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government • the Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Electronic Government Affairs • the Ministry of Education And Science • the Library Association of Latvia • the Latvian Association of Rural Women • the Latvian Adult Education Association • the Association of Latvian Public Relations Companies

7. Social Benefits and Impact on Communities • Increased availability and use of local services in libraries • Knowledge on how to use e-services to both librarians and patrons • The use of local content in libraries • Content produced in public libraries (children’s programs, traditional uses of library transferred to ICT context, etc.) • Locally produced, local language, locally relevant distributed through libraries (e.g. agricultural, financial, health) • Content developed for public library distribution / dissemination Increased perceived value and respect of libraries as a social institution that benefits the community

8. Libraries as partners to everyone of these and more Getting Together Institutions • Who are the creators and providers of digital content and services? • Government (local and national) • Local communities (everyone!) • Local organizations (NGOs, commercial) • Public/private sector • Schools • Universities • Libraries • Media • Churches • Researchers • Museums/Archives • Digital/Virtual Communities • Development Organizations • Foundations • Entertainers

9. Project Challenges • Encourage and stimulate the motivation of librarians to be trained and change their role • Encourage and stimulate users to benefit from training • How to overcome multilingual issues • Librarian become more skilled but don’t get any more salary

10. Tadenava library