Oklahoma Department of Libraries

The Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL), the official state library of Oklahoma, has provided statewide access to a number of electronic resources for libraries of all types in the state. ODL pays for these databases so there is no registration cost to the individual institutions. Remote or home access by patrons is provided as well under the statewide license. Approximately 1200 libraries in Oklahoma have registered for this service, and they include private and public
K-12 school libraries, public libraries, public and private colleges and universities, and some special libraries. Current vendors include EBSCO, OCLC's FirstSearch, Electric Library Elementary, and InfoTrac's Kids' Edition. More information regarding these databases can be found at:
http://www.odl.state.ok.us/oltn/index.htm

Oklahoma also provides a state universal service fund. This fund allows every public library building to receive a 56 kbps digital line at no charge or a credit towards the cost of a faster digital connection. The state's rural communities, in particular, have benefited from this ongoing operational support.

Tulsa Public Library

The Tulsa Public Library received a Gates Foundation Grant in the amount of $181,436 for the purchase of four PCs, a server and laser printer at each of the library's 12 sites. One site also received $31,170 for a MRL lab with 10 PCs, a server, laser printer, and a trainer's PC with a large monitor. Six Spanish PCs were placed in Spanish speaking communities. Software valued at $30,627 was provided. The Foundation also provided onsite installation and training by Gates staff for all equipment and software, one week, all expenses paid training at the Gates center in Seattle for three technical staff and three years of hardware and software support. The program was initiated in September 1999 and completed in January 2001.