Brooklyn Public Library's technology program Get Smart. Get Connected. was the 2001 winner of the Urban Library Council (ULC)/Highsmith Award of Excellence. "The Get Smart. Get Connected. program provides free computer and internet training for people of all ages, utilizing the Library's over 850 public access computers" (Rodger, Weinstein, Geiss, 2001, para. 2). The ULC/Highsmith Award of Excellence is presented to a library project that demonstrated excellence in one of the ULC's Strategy Areas. These strategy areas include the following: Urban libraries/urban assets, Urban youth, Capacity building and forecasting (ULC, n.d., paras. 2-5). Get Smart. Get Connected provides training with free and open access to communication using the World Wide Web.

Highsmith and the ULC were especially impressed with Brooklyn Public Library's outreach to minorities and to those who don't have access to technology because of location or because of economic circumstances. The Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) provides extensive services aimed at their entire service population. Programs for families with children include storytelling, homework help and youth computer courses. The computer courses for families are very interesting (BPL, 2001a, para. 1). "Internet for Families" includes computer courses on the Internet, safe surfing, and use of library resources. "Introduction to the World Wide Web" is focused on teen and adult use of the Internet. "Homework Help" uses BPL resources to teach research skills to children and teens. "Education and Job Information on the Internet" teaches teens and adults about resources available to them for their future. "Online Research" teaches basic research skills using the Internet. One program of particular interest is titled "Internet for crafty children" (BPL, 2001c). BPL also provides several advanced computer classes for teens, adults and older adults. Services are designed to help all sorts of families, with emphasis on reaching single parent families and families with lower incomes. Martin Gomez, Brooklyn Public Library's Executive Director recognizes that fact that true access to the Internet means knowing how to navigate it and to use it well. The program's goal is to equip library users with these skills in a fun and inviting atmosphere. New workshops include "Get Connected to Consumer Health Information", virtual scavenger hunts and special holiday Internet programs for children (Rodger, Weinstein, Geiss, 2001, para. 4). BPL offers around 75 workshops each month giving ample opportunity for library patrons to be involved and get training.

Brooklyn Public Library is an independent New York City Library System serving the borough of Brooklyn. Its Central Library, Business Library, and 58 branch libraries offer free information, programs and computer access for all ages. The Get Smart. Get Connected program will ensure that the Brooklyn Public Library fulfills their mission: "It is the mission of Brooklyn Public Library to ensure the preservation and transmission of society's knowledge, history and culture, and to provide the people of Brooklyn with free and open access to information for education, recreation and reference" (BPL, 2001b, para. 1).

References:
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) (2001a). Internet for Families. The Brooklyn Public Library. Retrieved December 9, 2001 from: http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/calendar/InternetFamilies.asp
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) (2001b). Mission and Vision Statement. The Brooklyn Public Library. Retrieved December 9, 2001 from: http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/general/m&v.htm
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) (2001c). Programs for Children & Families. The Brooklyn Public Library. Retrieved December 9, 2001 from: http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/calendar/children.asp
Rodger, J., Weinstein, B., Geiss, V. (2001). Brooklyn Public Library to Receive 2001 ULC/Highsmith Award of Excellence. Urban Libraries Council. Retrieved December 9, 2001 from: http://www.urbanlibraries.org/Highsmith%202001.html
Urban Libraries Council (ULC) (n.d.). About the Urban Libraries Council. Urban Libraries Council. Retrieved December 9, 2001 from: http://www.urbanlibraries.org/about.html