Four local libraries will be technologically updated soon, thanks to grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Springfield, Richfield Springs, Hartwick and Cherry Valley will now be able to offer computing and internet access to the public, owing to computers that will be installed by Gates Foundation staff and be on-line soon.

Microsoft mogul Bill Gates and wife Melinda's philanthropic gestures range from $100 million pledged to assist in the creation of an AIDS vaccine to educational technology in the classroom. As of the last quarter of 2000, 2,671 buildings in eleven states have been outfitted with computers granted by the Gates Foundation.

The Foundation seeks out libraries in towns with a poverty rate of at least ten percent, according to its website.

Springfield Library was chartered in 1999 when Catlin Library of Springfield Center merged with the General James Clinton Library of East Springfield to offer more inclusive service to the community.

Florence Brown has been the Springfield librarian for almost a year. The library already has a full-time connection to the state's public information service and is open twenty hours a week.

"We may have to change the hours of operation to let people use the computer," Brown said. She also said that there are no policies set in stone yet about internet use or taking users on a first-come, first-served or reservation basis.

The library will be hosting an open-house on Thursday, February 8 from 4:30-5:30 p.m., at which representatives from the Gates Foundation will be on hand to answer questions.

Alice Mahardy has been the Richfield Springs librarian for twenty years.

"We've gone from cards to computers since I've been here," Mahardy said, "This is going to be so much more helpful for our patrons. Some of the educational programs on the new computers are aimed at adults and others are for children."

The Richfield Springs Library has the distinction of being the first in the four-county system to have gone online.

"We had a board that looked ahead and saw that technology was important," said Mahardy of the library's five years online.

The Richfield Springs Library will host its open house on Friday, February 9 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. so that the public can become familiar with the two new computers granted by the Gates Foundation.

Claire Ottman has been the librarian at Cherry Valley Memorial Library since 1978, before they even had a phone.

"I'm ecstatic. It's terrific for all ages," said Ottman. Also good news is the fact that the online service will now be run through a dedicated line, thanks to additional technology sponsored by the Gates Foundation, instead of tying up the library's phone line.

Ottman said that the library had been mailed an invitation by the Gates Foundation, based on poverty statistics. She said that the additional technology is a huge asset to the community, since people can have access not only to educational software but can create resumes and newsletters.

Barb Potter of Kinney Memorial Library in Hartwick said that their two new computers have been hooked up for two weeks.

"The kids love it," said Kinney. As soon as school gets out they come over here and play games. I've heard a lot of public comments about how people have never seen so many cars in the parking lot before."

The computers are not yet online, though Potter predicts a change in status within the week.

The Kinney Memorial Library does not have an open house scheduled yet, but Potter can be contacted at 293-6600 for more information.

The Gates Foundation's website details the purpose of their Library Program.

"Whether tucked into a side room of a gas station, or dignified with a grand edifice, public libraries are the ideal place to host empowering technologies. However, some rural and urban libraries lack the financial resources necessary to offer widespread public access. Through the Library Program, the foundation is partnering with public libraries across the United States and Canada to provide both physical tools  such as computers with Internet access  and the technology training necessary for libraries to become gateways to the digital world for patrons in low-income communities," reads the site.