Government of the District of Columbia

DC Community Computing Resources

The District of Columbia’s Community Computing Resources project (DC-CCR) proposes to mitigate the overcrowding and long wait times currently experienced at District libraries and recreation centers. The project, led by the DC Public Library, plans to serve the entire District but focus on economically vulnerable populations, especially seniors, students, the unemployed, and low-income residents largely in Wards 5, 7 and 8, in communities such as Eckington, Kenilworth, and Anacostia where broadband adoption rates are low. The DC-CCR project proposes to provide computer skills, job search, and Internet use training via current library staff, outside instructors, and local volunteer experts, while upgrading equipment and improving connectivity for public use at 24 public libraries and new computer centers in two recreation centers, three public schools, and one community college library. The project aims to increase access speeds at participating libraries up to 1 Gbps, which would also increase the capacity at Wi-Fi hotspots currently available to library patrons.

Total Award:

$1553310

Project Fact Sheet

BTOP In Action

IMG: Visitors gather for a ribbon cutting ceremony

It has been a busy winter for the Government of the District of Columbia BTOP project. The recipient created a new community computer center at the Community College of the District of Columbia (CCDC) and reopened two existing centers after receiving BTOP funds. These centers are supporting a citywide initiative to provide affordable broadband and digital literacy training classes to low-income, unemployed District residents. Each center provides patrons with access to new computers, free Internet access, and digital literacy courses.

The new CCDC center houses 70 state-of-the-art computers and offers digital literacy and workforce development courses on a variety of topics including resume building, computer literacy, computer basics, online job search techniques, and Microsoft Office® software fundamentals. Visitors to the newly reopened Southeast Tennis and Learning Center will find 20 new computers that they can use to search for jobs, learn computer basics, and assist with homework assignments. The Petworth Library also recently reopened its doors to the public. BTOP Funding helped the library improve its broadband connection speed, acquire new state-of-the-art computers, and provide patrons with web-based courses that help job seekers earn a GED, learn basic computer skills, and prepare for professional exams.

The impact of the program will be felt across multiple communities. A total of 102 new computers have been distributed among six existing libraries. In particular, the new computers and broadband access have helped patrons at the Mt. Pleasant, Anacostia, and Capitol Hill Public Libraries use digital technology to search for jobs, pay bills, create resumes, and complete homework assignments. To see local news coverage, please visit here.

Last Updated: October 17, 2011.

Reports and Documents

Reports to NTIA: