ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline Volume 9, Number 3 January 19, 2000 In this issue: [1] Commerce Announces $12.5 Million in Grants to be Awarded to Help Close the Digital Divide [2] Pre-Application Deadline of March 3 for Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnership Grants [3] IMLS Announces New Monthly E-mail Newsletter [1] Commerce Announces $12.5 Million in Grants to be Awarded to Help Close the Digital Divide Secretary Daley to launch 12-city tour next month to highlight efforts to close digital gap Note: The following is a January 5 press release from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. For more information contact Sahon Palmer at spalmer@ntia.doc.gov or TOP (formerly TIIAP) at 202.482.2048. Washington, D.C. -- Approximately $12.5 million will be awarded in a new round of grants by the Commerce Department this year as part of the Clinton-Gore Administration's on-going efforts to close the gap between Americans with access and those without access to new technologies, tools critical to economic success and advancement, Commerce Secretary William M. Daley announced today. "New technologies are now the major driving force of our country's economic growth," Daley said, noting that more than one-third of U.S. growth stems from the nation's burgeoning information technology industries. "Access and training, therefore, become even more essential so that all Americans have the ability to participate and benefit from the new economy," Daley added. Daley also announced that the grant program, formerly known as the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP), has been renamed the Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) to better reflect opportunities the many new technologies provide for economic advancement. The grants announced today are being awarded to state, local and tribal governments and non-profit entities as part of the Administration's program to extend the benefits of the Internet and other information technologies to all Americans, especially those in underserved rural and urban communities. "There are still many Americans who do not receive the benefits of our nation's digital economy," said Gregory L. Rohde, assistance secretary of Commerce for communications and information and head of National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which administers the grant program. "These grants play a vital role in the Administration's efforts to provide otherwise disadvantaged populations, low-income persons and the less educated with access to information sources," Rohde said. "Since 1994, the TOP program has helped close the digital divide for minorities, low-income and rural populations, and explored useful applications of new technologies that deliver the dividends of the digital era," Rohde said. Last July, NTIA released the findings of a major study that reported the gap between American information "haves" and "have nots" has widened significantly. On December 9 Daley hosted a Digital Divide Summit at the Commerce Department, which Rohde said was a critical step in bringing together the public and private sectors to expand collectively initiatives that promote technology and economic development in underserved communities. Next month Daley is scheduled to launch a 12-city tour to raise public awareness of the need to improve access to new technologies by all Americans and to highlight initiatives aimed at closing the digital divide. TOP is a highly-competitive, merit-based program that provides start-up money for innovative, practical projects that use advanced telecommunications and information technology. The program has provided more than $135 million in matching grants since its inception in 1994. This year, the program is specifically encouraging projects developed by smaller, locally-based organizations that both serve and represent technologically underserved communities. Grant applicants are also encouraged to consider the use of advanced network technologies to enhance the quality and efficiency of services delivered through non-profit entities. Moreover, TOP is interested in cross-cutting projects involving partnerships among its four application areas -- community networking and services; lifelong learning and the arts; health; and public safety. NTIA will hold a series free regional Technical Assistance Workshops to discuss the TOP funding priorities, application requirements, and lessons learned from previous TOP grantees. This is a key opportunity for interested parties to understand the TOP goals and process, and meet representatives of other organizations interested in the TOP program. The Technical Assistance Workshops will be held on January 31, in New York, New York; February 2, in Houston, Texas; and February 4, in Los Angeles, California. Online registration for the workshops is now available at http://www.ntia.doc.gov Information about the program's regulations and procedures can be found in the Notice of Availability of Funds, published in the Federal Register on January 5, 2000. The deadline for receiving applications is March 16, 2000. For more information about TOP and the Technical Assistance Workshops, call 202.482.2048, or e- mail to: top@ntia.doc.gov, or access NTIA's Web site at http://www.ntia.doc.gov NTIA serves as the principal adviser to the President, Vice President and Secretary of Commerce on domestic and international communications and information issues. [2] Pre-Application Deadline of March 3 for Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnership Grants In the December 30, 1999, Federal Register, the Department of Education announced the availability of Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships Grants for FY2000. The final transmittal deadline is June 9, 2000, but preapplications must have been submitted first. The deadline for transmittal of preapplications is March 3, 2000. Partnerships are described as two or more independent agencies, organizations, or institutions including institutions of higher education, community organizations and other public and private institutions, agencies and organizations. A nonprofit organization must serve as the fiscal agent for a funded partnership. Funds must be used to conduct one or more of the following activities: 1. develop and assess model distance learning programs or innovative educational software; 2. develop methodologies for the identification and measurement of skill competencies; 3. develop and assess innovative student support services; 4. support other activities consistent with the statutory purpose of this program. One of the eight priorities cited lists projects to improve support services for students seeking technology-mediated distance education to ensure that they have complete and convenient access to needed services such as registration, financial aid, advising, assessment, counseling, libraries, and many others. For more information and a complete description of the eight priorities, see the December 30 Federal Register, v64, n250, p. 73529-30. -Mary Costabile [3] IMLS Announces New Monthly E-mail Newsletter The Institute of Museum and Library Services has launched a monthly e-mail newsletter, The Primary Source. According to the press release, The Primary Source will explore how museums and libraries across the country use IMLS awards to further their service to the public. The newsletter will provide the latest information about IMLS activities, grant programs, and publications, and showcase best practices. If you are interested in reading or receiving The Primary Source, go to the IMLS site at www.imls.gov/whatsnew/new_imls.htm#ps ****** ALAWON (ISSN 1069-7799) is a free, irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office. All materials subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. To subscribe to ALAWON, send the message: subscribe ala-wo [your_firstname] [your_lastname] to listproc@ala.org or go to http://www.ala.org/washoff/alawon. To unsubscribe to ALAWON, send the message: unsubscribe ala-wo to listproc@ala.org. ALAWON archives at http://www.ala.org/washoff/alawon. ALA Washington Office, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 403, Washington, D.C. 20004-1701; phone: 202.628.8410 or 800.941.8478 toll-free; fax: 202.628.8419; e-mail: alawash@alawash.org; Web site: http://www.ala.org/washoff. Executive Director: Emily Sheketoff; Editor: Deirdre Herman. Office of Government Relations: Lynne Bradley, Director; Mary Costabile, Peter Kaplan, Miriam Nisbet and Claudette Tennant. Office for Information Technology Policy: Rick Weingarten, Director; Jennifer Hendrix, Carrie Russell and Saundra Shirley.