BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION E AS BIBLIOTECAS

Access to the Internet can change people’s lives.

The Internet provides opportunities for people to improve their lives. When people go online, they can get health information, use government services, manage finances, look for jobs, do research for school and work, and keep in touch.

For most people in developing and transitioning countries, quality Internet access is not available or affordable. There is a great inequality in the global distribution of information technology. Worldwide, approximately 5 billion people—nearly 90 percent of the world’s population—do not have an opportunity to use computers connected to the Internet.

Public libraries can offer free Internet access and computer training. Where library systems already exist, libraries can provide a central location where people can use computers, access the internet free of charge, and get guidance and training from staff members. But for many libraries, it can be difficult to get connected or stay connected to the internet. In a transitioning country like Romania, only 411 computers in all 2,933 public libraries were connected to the Internet as of 2008.

In developing and transitioning countries, most people have no way to reach the Internet on their own.Some countries may not have a library system in place. Supplying electricity may be a challenge for others. In other places there are no regional suppliers of high-speed Internet connections. Even in places that have Internet cafes and similar fee-based businesses, Internet services are often very expensive.

We’re working to narrow the digital divide in ten countries around the world.