Utilizing the Telecommunications Act
In May, 2000, 47 schools, libraries, and districts in connecticut received a total of $650,000 in grant monies. The restrictive funding was provided by the national E-rate initiative from the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This grant money will be used to provide Internet access and computer resources for Connecticut, especially for schools and libraries in rural or disadvantage areas. http://www.senate.gov/~dodd/press/Releases/00/0522.htm

Connecting Connecticut
iCONN, administered by the The Connecticut State Library, provides all residents of Connecticut with online access to the states' library and information resources, including databases. iCONN is part of the Connecticut Education Network, which has been charged with developing a new state of the art communications network to interconnect all public K-12, public and private higher education, and library locations throughout the State of Connecticut. http://www.iconn.org

Technology Awareness
In February, 2002, the Albany Avenue Branch of the Hartford Public Library offered free basic computer classes as part of the second annual Greater Hartford Black Family Technology Awareness Week. The event was established to help bridge the digital divide in this region through these free computer education classes. http://www.aetna.com/foundation/news/articles/2002/pr_20020213.htm

Closing the Digital Divide
In February, 2000, The Stetson Branch of the New Haven Public Library unveiled a new Technology Access Center with the help of Yale University. The Center was funded by a $75,000 grant from the Southern New England Telephone's Linking to Learning --Closing the Digital Divide" initiative. The library received 23 computers, which will all patrons to access the Internet, send e-mail, conduct online research, and learn basic computer skills. http://www.yale.edu/opa/v28.n19/story14.html