People's network > Gates projects

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Scottish Government Public Libraries Excellence Funded Projects

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Scottish Library Excellence Fund Projects demonstrate that public libraries can make a significant contribution to widening access to, and increasing awareness of, ICT in lifelong learning. A report from each project outlines the development of ICT in SIP areas, the lessons learned and plans for future development.

By operating in public libraries, community centres and other venues the projects allowed ICT to be delivered directly into the hearts of communities. Over 100 PCs were provided to libraries participating in the Excellence Fund projects and a wide range of equipment including printers, digital cameras and scanners were made available.

A number of projects provided solutions to overcome disability or language barriers to accessing ICT. This has ensured that all citizens’ can access ICT for their information, communication and learning needs. The equipment and software introduced provides assistance with a range of physical and sensory impairments.

The projects have acted as the catalyst for a number of innovations including the development of a community website in East Renfrewshire. In Dundee a significant cultural and historical resource has been created and has been appreciated by young and old alike. The project was the starting point for North Lanarkshire’s lifelong learning web site, which received 1.8 million hits in its first year.

The projects will help shape future service planning and delivery and will influence partnership working. The impact and recommendations from the project are available in Making a Difference – Libraries, ICT and Social Inclusion (PDF format)