Libraries Without Walls (LWW) Grants

Libraries Without Walls

Increasing connectivity with innovation

FY2021 LWW Grants Infographic Page REVISED.pdf

COVID-19 has impacted the way we work, go to school, access healthcare and communicate with each other. The pandemic has amplified the need for internet access in rural and underserved areas where connection speeds do not meet the minimum accepted level of 25 Mbps down/3 Mbps up. To assist in meeting this need, libraries, schools, and other community support organizations are looking for new ways to bridge the digital divide. The need is obvious, with 22 percent of students being forced to use public Wi-Fi to complete their homework and over half of U.S. adults saying the internet has been essential during the pandemic (Source: Pew Research Center). 

Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) dedicated part of federal CARES Act funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), along with state technology funding, to fund a variety of technology projects that support the connectivity needs of our public libraries during the pandemic. The Libraries Without Walls grant initiative targeted five focus areas: 

Please email the GPLS Grants Help Desk with any questions.

G SUITE MIGRATION - Awarded August 2020

A portion of CARES Act funding was awarded to migrate the remaining library systems in Georgia to G Suite. This grant funded the necessary cost increase to migrate all interested systems by covering the pro-rated cost for 2020 and the full annual cost of 2021.

Currently:

Newly Migrated Systems: 

In Process:


Total Funding Awarded: $25,000

CHROMEBOOKS - Awarded October 2020

A portion of CARES Act funding was awarded to libraries for the deployment of pre-configured Chromebooks to create or expand a device lending program. Chromebooks were divided up according to the RPLAC formula (like Lib Tech allocations) and drop shipped with white-glove service to the awarded libraries. White-glove service included pre-enrolling, updating, checking for DOA status, and placing devices in library system's Chrome management group. The intention of this grant was to provide long-term device loans with priority lending given to to K-12, university, and technical college students. Applications were evaluated based on impact, need, and readiness.

Total Funding Awarded: 501 devices or $128,757.00 


Awarded Libraries:

TECH INNOVATION - Awarded November 2020

A portion of CARES Act funding and state technology funding was awarded to assist libraries that needed a little extra funding for technology innovations to improve library services in a meaningful way. Lib Tech funding covered devices and other allowable items under the program, while charges for installation and other unallowable items were covered by CARES funding allowing for the complete project to be funded. The intention of this grant was to fund projects where the technology enabled libraries to impact their communities during the pandemic.  Applications were evaluated based on creativity, impact, and compliance. Possible projects were:

Total Funding Awarded: $186,200.59 


Awarded Libraries:

BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE - Awarded February 2021

A portion of CARES Act funding was awarded to libraries for the deployment of broadband infrastructure upgrades. The intention of these grants was to bring all libraries in Georgia up to a standard baseline of Wi-Fi availability and Wi-Fi statistics gathering. These grants reimbursed the non-discounted portion of the E-rate Category 2 (CAT 2) costs not funded by USAC. Possible projects were:

Total Funding Awarded:  $31,864.68   


Awarded Libraries:

WI-FI EXPANSION - Awarded January 2021

A portion of CARES Act funding was awarded to libraries for the deployment of TV White Space (TVWS) and other Wi-Fi expansion technologies in their communities. The intent of this grant was to assist libraries with extending Wi-Fi service beyond library buildings to narrow the digital divide for patrons, especially students. Applications were evaluated based on impact, need, and viability. Possible projects were:

Total Funding Awarded:  $56,652.90  


Awarded Libraries: