South Dakota

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

South Dakota State Library

Grant Request

Gates Staying Connected Program
Phase I

Please PRINT or TYPE to complete the following

Library Name: Rapid City Public Library

Address: 610 Quincy Street Rapid City, SD 57701

Contact: Greg Russ / James Soehle

Phone: (605)394-6139 Ext 248 Email: rcplwebmaster@rcplib.org

Please describe the connectivity upgrade requested for your library including:

Type and Quantity of equipment needed

· 4 – desktop machines ($1,500 each)

· 3.2 Ghz processor

· 512 MB – 1 GB RAM

· 80 GB Hard Drive

· 64 MB Graphics Card

· Windows XP (Vista if available)

· 17 in. flat screen monitors

· 1 – rack mount server for patron authentication and security ($10,000)

· 1 – rack mount slide in keyboard / mouse / monitor

· 1 – Rack Mount Server

· Dual processor

· 2 GB ram

· Raid 5

· Five 80+ GB Hard drives

Describe previous Gates equipment being replaced

· 4 – Gateway desktop machines

· 4 – 17 in flat panel monitors

· 1 – Gateway server

Internet connectivity method and speed anticipated upon completion of activities

The Rapid City Public Library has a T1 line for internet connectivity. The library is also planning over the next 2-3 years to increase connectivity with the addition of a second T1 line.

A brief timeline with expected date of completion. Not to exceed December 31, 2006

· Completion of purchases (September 2006)

· Completion of installation of equipment (November 2006)

· Implementation of computers for the public (November 2006)

Budget Summary

Provide a summary of expenses necessary to upgrade your library^'s Internet Connectivity.

What specific problems does your library face that inhibits your ability to sustain public access computing?

Providing sufficient computer workstations to address public demand at peak hours; funding ongoing technology replacement and upgrading in a public library

How do you plan to support the improved Internet connectivity in your library in the long term (next three years)?

Rapid City Public Library has a T1 line. The library is also investigating the possible installation of a half T1 line to sustain video and audio streaming as well as video conferencing.

Who will provide the technical support to maintain the improved Internet connectivity?

The Rapid City Public Library has a Network Service Department of 1.75FTE that maintains the technology infrastructure within the library. RCPL also maintains a support contract with Goldenwest Technologies.

Important Information for Participants of the Internet Connectivity Program:

· Participants will be asked to track on a monthly basis, the number of patrons using the Internet in the library. (Reports may be requested periodically by the State Library for up to 3 years following the completion of the grant project)

· Recipients of the Internet Connectivity grant funds will be asked to submit a brief report to the State Library when the connectivity upgrade is complete. Upgrades must be complete by December 31, 2006.

· Recipients are asked to provide public access computer users a pre-implementation and/or post-implementation survey for their completion. The library will send copies of these surveys and report their results on the evaluation report to the State Library.

· Grant funds will be administered on a reimbursement basis with the grantee submitting a Request for Reimbursement, a line item Gates Financial Report and the attachment of receipts for the expenditures to be reimbursed.

Our library would like to participate in the Internet Connectivity Grant Program. We have read and understand the guidelines as presented.

______________________________________ ______________________
Library Director Signature Date

______________________________________ ______________________
Board chairperson or Person authorized to obligate library funds Date

Submit ten (10) copies, one (1) with original signatures to: South Dakota State Library, 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501