It seems like even when the government has good intentions, their follow-through can be less than expected.
The Nebraska Library Commission is getting $3.6 million to help pay for a Library that Broadband will build for Nebraska communities, a public computer center project.
The three-year project is intended to increase Broadband’s capacity, upgrade public computer resources in libraries and provide access for employment, learning, health information and E-Government services, the commission said in a news release.
Part of the money — $2.4 million — was from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, which was created by the federal stimulus act. The rest came from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
This project will increase connectivity in 45 of Nebraska’s public library buildings, purchase more than 600 new computer work stations and upgrade another 475 at 147 public library locations.
That’s around $3,600 per computer. Sound a little high? I’m not sure if they’ve ever heard of Google in Nebraska, but the word is that you can find discount computer hardware online to bring that cost down a bit. I think even Dell has desktops starting around $300 now, so what kind of monster machines can Nebraska expect to get ?
Chances are the machines will be “government grade” and will barely run the latest programs, if at all. Should have stuck with the discount computer equipment.
On the other side of the nation, up to 140 students at South Central College might receive a novel form of financial aid. The college is one of four in the state to receive a federal TRIO grant for the first time this year. S-C-C won a Student Support Service grant by showing in their proposal that 59 percent of the students would be eligible. The Dean of Students says low income, first generation, and disabled students will be able to receive one-on-one advising and counseling to build a success plan. Beer says, “it’s direct services to real students.” It’s not overhead or space, it’s direct service to our students, and that’s the exciting part. Beer says “thanks to the grant, S-C-C will have the resources to help students who may otherwise have given up on school.”
Sounds like we are seriously laying a foundation for our future between over-priced computers, underwhelming advising and counseling support. It’s no wonder we complain. But I’m sure they’ll find better prices at discount computer parts.