NEW YORK LIBRARY ASSOCIATION TO RECEIVE $40,000 SPECTRUM BROADBAND ACCESS AND LEARNING GRANT

ALBANY, NY (04/12/2019) (readMedia)-- New York Library Association (NYLA) received a $40,000 grant through the 2018 Spectrum New York State Broadband Access Learning Grant initiative.

The grant funds will be used to launch and support NYLA's equipment grant program, which distributes wireless routers and/or computers to libraries in need in upstate New York. Twenty-three libraries are benefiting from the hardware upgrade to better share their connectivity with their patrons. Spectrum is partnering with NYLA and the Menands Public Library, one of the equipment recipients.

"The New York Library Association is pleased to have been able to partner with Spectrum and Charter Communications to bring this much needed equipment to libraries across New York State," said Jeremy Johannesen, Executive Director, New York Library Association. "With nearly 20% of households lacking internet access, this equipment serves to make the critical connects that libraries provide to the community even more accessible."

WHAT: An alliance among the New York Library Association and Spectrum.

WHO: New York State Senator Neil Breslin; New York State Assemblymember Phil Steck; Jeremy Johannesen, Executive Director, New York Library Association; Menands Library Director Lenny Zapala and Kevin Egan, Director State Government Affairs, Charter Communications.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 17 from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Menands Public Library, 4 N. Lyons Ave., Menands, N.Y.

Spectrum's NYS Broadband Access and Learning Grants, totaling $1 million, support 21 New York nonprofit organizations that connect community members to the internet and educate users on the benefits of living in a digital world.

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About New York Library Association

The New York Library Association (NYLA) is the voice of the library community in New York.

NYLA, established by Melvil Dewey in 1890, is the oldest state library association in the country and represents school, college, special and public libraries, library staff, trustees, and students from around the state.NYLA is the only statewide organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of all libraries and library staff to the state legislature, and serves as the spokesperson on library matters to the media and public policymakers.

NYLA offers a variety of services and programs to meet our members' needs ranging from professional development opportunities at our NYLA Annual Conference and regional institutes to member discounts on a range of services and products for your personal or professional needs. In addition, members receive our regular bi-monthly electronic newsletter, the NYLA e-Bulletin, our weekly email newsletter, News You Can Use, as well as legislative alerts and other timely email updates. NYLA also recognizes members' achievements and contributions to the library community through awards, fellowships, and scholarships.