Gates Foundation Provides $400,000 To Washington State Library To Help Job-Seekers
Part of $4 million package to assist state residents facing hard times
-- Library Journal, 10/29/2009
- Foundation pays special attention to home state of Washington
- $400,000 will leverage IMLS grant
- One library's plan: buy notebook computers
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, headquartered in Seattle, pays special attention to its home state and, with unemployment over 9 percent, is now directing more than $4 million to help state residents facing economic hard times.
While most of the money will go to ten community foundations and the Legal Aid for Washington Fund, the Washington State Library will get $400,000 for its Renew Washington Grant Program, which will help 17 public libraries offer new or enhanced services to assist people looking for work and others impacted by the downturn in the economy.
Matching federal funds
The money will match $400,000 from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. “Public libraries in Washington state are lifelines to information, technology, and human assistance for countless families—in good times and in bad,” said State Librarian Jan Walsh. “This grant will help local libraries significantly expand services like resume-writing classes or assistance with job searches, which are in higher demand when communities face a tough economic climate.” 
One system, for example, Sno-Isle Libraries, offers “Tools for Tough Times” and will use its portion of the grant to buy 30 notebook computers dedicated for job seekers. Also, the library will be able to waive the two-hour-a-day time limit, given that job seekers often need more time for such tasks as job searching, completing an application, developing a resume, or working to improve their computer skills.
