Computer Lab Grant for Fig Garden Regional Library
Julie Heinz
Spring 2010
Executive Summary
When it comes to making fundamental steps in their lives, patrons rely on library
computers despite their economic status (Bill & Linda Gates Foundation, 1999-2010).
The Fig Garden Regional Library in Fresno, California, requests $21,500 for a computer
lab. A computer lab would benefit local residents by allowing many opportunities
including allowing residents to type and submit resumes online and providing access to
programs for class assignments.
Background
Community
The community surrounding the Fig Garden Public Library is home to 36,269
residents as of 2000. Of those residents, only 44.8% of those residents hold a Bachelor’s
Degree or higher (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). Of the residents over 16 years of age,
1,048 were unemployed in 2000 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000).
Library and Patrons
The Fig Garden Regional Library is staffed by a branch manager, a full time
children’s librarian, a full time young adult librarian, a part time general librarian, two
senior assistant librarians, three full time and two part time library assistants, and five
aides. These sixteen staff members are responsible for helping the approximately 4,450
patrons a week who walk through the doors. In one week, the library is open 69 hours
and has approximately 975 people who access the internet using the library’s computers.
Of those people, approximately 250 require assistance from a librarian. In addition to the
975 patrons using the library’s computers, there are also patrons who choose to bring
their own laptops and take advantage of the library’s free wireless that is paid for by the
Friends of the Library.
Staff
The branch director and general librarian would be responsible for getting the
computer lab up and running. We would need to dedicate approximately 5 hours a week
to the upkeep of the computer lab and deleting files patrons had saved to the computers.
In addition we would need to dedicate another 15 hours to helping patrons with computer
related issues.
Statement of Need
Approximately “one-third of the U.S. population over the age of 14 used library
Internet computers.” (Bill & Linda Gates Foundation, 1999-2010). A computer lab at
Fig Garden Regional Library would improve the quality of life of its community because
it would provide community members with a quiet place to work. It would also allow
additional access to community members who wouldn’t otherwise have access due to
economic issues. These community members depend on the local library’s computers
and internet to gain access to job opportunities, health information, personal banking,
personal email accounts, and the local news. The computer lab would also allow students
to complete assignments, apply to colleges, apply for financial aid and scholarships, and
to use programs such as Microsoft’s PowerPoint and Adobe’s Photoshop for class
assignments without having to purchase the programs.
Proposed Program
Goals
The computer lab will add an additional ten computers for the community to use
creating access for more people and for longer periods of time than the Fig Garden
Regional Library can currently offer. The staff at Fig Garden Regional Library is hoping
to be able to double the amount of computer and internet access that it is currently
offering. This will be done by setting up two tables with a total of ten computers and two
printer/scanners.
Management and Set Up
The computer lab will be set up and managed by the branch director and the
general librarian with the help of the IT person. All staff librarians and support staff will
assist community members in using the equipment in the computer lab.
Implementation Schedule
The computers and other necessary equipment will be ordered at the beginning of
September. In early October, the branch director, general librarian, and IT person will set
up the computers and other necessary equipment. They will also install all additional
programs and software at that time. The computer lab will be ready for community use
by mid October.
Materials
10 Dell Desktop Computers complete with Microsoft Office 2007
10 copies of Norton 360 Version 4.0
10 copies of Adobe Photoshop Elements 8
1 year of Comcast High Speed Business Class Preferred
Cisco Router
6 Split-Level Dual-User Office Computer Tables
10 Big and Tall Office Desk Chairs
2 Brother Network-Ready Multifunction Printer/Copier/Scanners
Printer Paper
Toner Cartridges
Evaluation
The branch director’s monthly reports of computer usage at Fig Garden Regional
Library will track the number of patrons and community members that walk through the
library’s doors and use the new computer lab.
Proposed Program Budget
Item
10 Dell Desktop Computers complete with
Microsoft Office 2007
10 copies of Norton 360 Version 4.0
10 copies of Adobe Photoshop Elements 8
1 year of Comcast High Speed Business
Class Preferred
Cisco Router
6 Split-Level Dual-User Office Computer
Tables
10 Big and Tall Office Desk Chairs
2 Brother Network-Ready Multifunction
Printer/Copier/Scanners
Printer Paper and Toner Cartridges
Total
Cost
$19,550
$800
$1,000
$1,090
$185
$2,240
$2,700
$800
$3,135
$31,500
Program Funding
Source
Funding
Friends of Fig Garden Regional Library
$5,000
Fig Garden Regional Library Budget &
$5,000
Fundraisers
Grant
$21,500
Friends of Fig Garden Regional Library will help fund the continuous cost of
paper and toner cartridges as well as help with the cost of maintenance.
Conclusion
A computer lab would benefit the Fig Garden Regional Library and its
community. It would allow patrons more time on the computers and the library would be
able to offer services to more patrons. Your contribution of $21,500 would help build the
community for years to come by offering these tools and services to the patrons who
would be using them to help improve their education and quality of life.
Appendices
Monthly Reports of Current Computer Usage at Fig Garden Regional Library for the past
3 months
Fig Garden Regional Library Budget
Branch Director’s Resume
General Librarian’s Resume
IT Personnel’s Resume
References
Bill & Linda Gates Foundation. (1999-2010). Opportunity for All: How the American
Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries. Retrieved from
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/learning/Documents/OpportunityForAll.pdf
U.S. Census Bureau. (2000). Retrieved from
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=86000US93711&qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP3&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&-_lang=en&_sse=on
U.S. Census Bureau. (2000). Retrieved from
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=86000US93711
&_geoContext=01000US|86000US93711&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=&_state=&_
zip=93711&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=860&_su
bmenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull
&_keyword=&_industry=&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y