American foundation to connect Moldovan libraries to internet

The foundation Bill & Melinda Gates decided to allocate three million dollars to connect Moldovan public libraries to the Internet. The representative of the foundation's Novateca programme explained the implementation steps of the two-year project, at a news conference on October 24.

Culture Minister Boris Focsa attended the event as well. He said the project's goal is to endow libraries from villages and towns with computers and internet connection and enlarge their range of informational services provided to communities. «Libraries will become genuine culture centers in villages. They will provide access to files of the National Library and digital libraries,» Focsa said.

In order to benefit from the Novateca programme's assistance, local authorities must assume the responsibility to modernize their local libraries. The national landline phone operator was selected to ensure the internet connection.

Novateca will establish training centers for librarians in Soroca, Ungheni, Orhei, Leova, Ceadir-Lunga and Causeni towns. Public libraries from Drochia, Telenesti, Calarasi, Hincesti, Cahul and Taraclia towns will turn into so-called public internet access centres, during the project's pilot stage.

Microsoft founder's charity foundation will provide 60 libraries undergoing modernisation, with 300 computers by the end of 2013. About 350,000 citizens will have access to them.

Adapted from Moldpres