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Fulton Public Library - new computers for locals

Frankfort visitors chat with Librarian Heather Roberts (back turned).

New equipment means better access.

Fulton Public Library main floor.

MSU banner

(Fulton, KY - June 17, 2014) - When access to broadband service in Kentucky was studied recently, the river counties of Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle and Ballard, were among those having the least access to fast, high speed internet service. In the 21st century, broadband access is to business what paved roads were to 19th century business. Those who have it gets jobs. Those who don’t, don’t.

The federal government gave Kentucky grants of $5.3 million dollars for broadband mapping and outreach. On Tuesday, the first installment of outreach was made in the basement of the Fulton Public Library. A second installment was made in the National Guard Building in the city of Hickman. The buildings are the first sites in an e-learning project in conjunction with local officials, Broadband KY and Murray State University.

A ribbon cutting for the program was attended by officials from Frankfort, Murray State and local officials. Gina Winchester of Murray State said that as the installations in the four river counties come online, MSU hopes to offer classes to students in the remote locations. (Fulton County is about 60 miles from Murray).

Librarian Heather Roberts will be shepherding the program in Fulton. She said that initially use of the machines would be word of mouth as the children’s summer reading program gets underway. As parents bring kids, they will be informed of a new resource in the library.

After the dedication, e-learning began immediately as blue screens of multiple computers lit up the basement of the Fulton Library. Local residents sat in front of monitors while staff instructed them how to use the new machines. Roberts said that staff and volunteers would be available to help anyone needing instruction.

Winchester said the next location for an e-learning center will be Hickman County. The location being studied is the Business Center south of Clinton. Daymar College and the adult learning center are using the classrooms. Daymar announced that they will be closing the Hickman County facility. That will leave room for the e-learning center‘s computers. Carlisle and Ballard will be next to receive equipment.

What seems to be missing from the installation are solid plans to use the equipment in a coordinated e-learning process. That may come after school starts in the fall and Murray State comes back from summer break.

Broadband KY is the state government agency under the Finance and Administration Cabinet managing the funding of the project.They assured us there won't be dusty computers in a basement sitting unused.

From the enthusiasm shown by Fulton residents for their new fast access computers, dust won’t be gathering on the computers in the basement of the Fulton Public Library.