Google promotes coding education in public libraries
The American Libraries Association (ALA) has announced a $500,000 competitive grant sponsored by Google, as part of ALA's initiative Libraries Ready to Code. The funds are set to help public libraries establish computer-science education centres, in which young people and families can get to grips with computer science in informal surroundings. The ALA states that 25 to 50 libraries will receive support from Google. It is hoped that the centres will facilitate the development of skills and opening up of opportunities for low-income families that do not typically have access to technology at home.

LIBRARIES WHO CODE: Computer-science education, now heavily promoted in public schools, is entering public libraries. Last week the American Libraries Association announced a $500,000 competitive grant program, sponsored by Google, to help libraries build computer-science education centers.

The grant is part of an initiative called Libraries Ready to Code, where libraries bring in resources and research to help staff members teach youth and families computer science in informal learning settings.

Representatives from the American Library Association say 25 to 50 libraries will receive funding from the ALA and consulting expertise and operational support from Google. The project’s leaders hope that libraries, often utilized by low-income families who do not have technology at home, will give young people and their relatives new opportunities to learn that they otherwise would not have.