On April 2, 2018, Mozilla announced that Eugene Public Library is among 14 winners in five American cities of “tech-for-good” grants. The funded projects rely on using gigabit internet high-speed fiber networks to improve local education and workforce opportunities.
Eugene Public Library has been awarded $15,000 for “Opening Access to Virtual Worlds,” a project to provide training in the fields of virtual reality and video game development for community members. The grant will support a variety of events and workshops for all ages at all Eugene Public Library locations in the coming months.
In this grant cycle, Mozilla awarded $280,000 to community technologists who are leveraging gigabit internet for good in Lafayette, LA; Eugene, OR; Chattanooga, TN; Austin, TX; and Kansas City. “Each of these promising projects leverages lightning-fast internet to make a positive impact in their communities,” says Lindsey Frost Dodson, who directs Mozilla’s gigabit initiative. “This work — being led by school districts, nonprofits, and for-profits — can create more connected, open, and innovative U.S. cities.”
The grants are part of the Mozilla Gigabit Community Fund, a partnership between Mozilla, the National Science Foundation, and U.S. Ignite. The Fund has granted more than $1.2 million to over 90 projects during its six-year history.
For tech learning opportunities at Eugene Public Library, see:
Eugene Public Library Maker Hub and Media Lab - open daily, 1:00 - 5:00
Eugene Public Library Calendar - events for all ages