MCI aids modernisation of US libraries | 21 June |
Main Street, USA now has a major on ramp to the information superhighway via the MCI LibraryLINK on the World Wide Web. MCI LibraryLINK is a three-year public/private community alliance between MCI Communications Corp. (Nasdaq-NNM: MCIC) and the American Library Association (ALA) designed to "help advance the technological capabilities of the nation's public libraries," MCI spokesperson Lora Dietrich told Newsbytes. Internet users may access the MCI LibraryLINK Web site at http://www.librarylink.com. Now in its second year, MCI will donate $750,000 in grants over the three year period from 1995 to 1997 to approximately 25 public library systems. "Through the MCI Foundation, MCI LibraryLINK grants integrate communications technology to enhance the link between local libraries, the communities they serve and the vast resources of the information infrastructure," Dietrich said. Dietrich noted that a recent ALA study suggested that low-income and minority groups need more information than they currently are obtaining, especially in the area of computer resources. "MCI LibraryLINK will help make these resources available to everyone," Dietrich told Newsbytes, "from senior citizens to immigrants, children to job seekers, small business owners to parents." More than seventeen public libraries already have been selected to participate in the program, including the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Public Library; the Arlington County, Virginia, Public Library; and the Denver, Colorado Public Library, Dietrich said. MCI's senior vice president of data architecture, Vinton G. Cerf, widely regarded as the "father" of the Internet, welcomes visitors to the Web site, which allows users to hyperlink to any MCI LibraryLINK library and utilize its online resources. There also is a library and Internet trivia quiz, links to MCI and ALA home pages, basic information on the MCI LibraryLINK program, and a guest page. "In addition to serving the communities in which they are located," Cerf says in his welcome statement, "MCI LibraryLINK libraries will serve as resources for all users of the Internet, worldwide." One of the library projects takes the links one step farther, bringing in local government, Dietrich told Newsbytes. Through the Cedar Falls, Iowa, link, visitors can talk with the Mayor and other city officials. (Bill Pietrucha/19960621/Press Contact: Lora Dietrich, MCI, tel 202887-2256) |
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From the NEWSBYTES news service, 21 June |