As libraries statewide receive word of local and state budget cuts, one north Jackson library was the recent recipient of some good news thanks to Broadband for America (BfA).
BfA, joined by supporter Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss) of the Second Congressional District, presenst a check in the amount of $10,000 to the Tisdale Library Tuesday, Aug. 17. Formerly called the Northside Library, the Tisdale Library is located on Northside Drive, across the street from Chastain Middle School.
The library was named in honor of the late newspaper owner and publisher of the Jackson Advocate newspaper by the Jackson City Council.
BfA is a coalition of more than 100 companies and organizations dedicated to the mission, according to its website, of making “broadband access to the Internet available to every household in the nation; to provide data transfer speeds to make that broadband experience valuable to users; and to provide the bandwidth necessary for content providers to continue to make the Internet a cultural, societal, and economic engine for growth.”
The award was a ray of sunshine to Jackson-Hinds Library System Executive Director Carolyn McCallum who received the check on behalf of the Tisdale Library. She said the award comes at a great time. McCallum said the system had recently received a memo regarding statewide library budget cuts.
McCallum also paid tribute to Alice Tisdale, the widow of the late Charles Tisdale, for orchestrating the BfA grant effort.
“We see students, parents and children everyday who say, ‘we don’t have computers in our homes,’ and they are coming to the local library. We’re excited about being able to provide them with the resources they need,” said McCallum. “Without you, Alice, this would not have happened for us.”
“The grant will allow this community to stay connected and engaged,” said Ava Parker, adoption council member of BfA. “Broadband for America is pleased to support the commitment of this organization to create new opportunities for the communities that it serves. We are pleased to help give the citizens of this area the resources that they need to build a stronger foundation for the future,” she added.
A group of more than two dozen public officials and citizens came out for the award presentation.
Sean Perkins of the City of Jackson opened with greetings on behalf of Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. He commended BfA for their efforts. “We are certainly proud that the Charles Tisdale Library was chosen for this award. The resources provided will be put to good use,” Perkins said.
Sen. John Hohrn told the audience that “in this day and time, the need for broadband is like the need for electricity.”
Thompson, who said when he first opened his Jackson office, the area of the city did not have DSL connectivity. “I had to go to cable to get a system that was fast enough for my computers to run my congressional office. And, I said, something is wrong with that picture. So, it took me about six years to vote on a piece of legislation that will close that [digital] divide so that anybody in America may have access to broadband,” Thompson said.
During the presentation, there were many patrons in the library. Among those listening to the award presentation was Rochelle Johnson, a Tougaloo College student. “I think it wonderful because everything is based on the Internet nowadays, and this will help a lot of people. Johnson, a Chicago native, lives in the neighborhood.
The grant is earmarked for the purchase of new computers, equipment, supplies, digital training and access to broadband connectivity for one year.
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