“The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has been awarded $9.5 million in a matching grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to expand computer access in public libraries across New York State.  The funding is being provided through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).

“The grant will support the State Library’s Broadbandexpress@yourlibrary project to help low-income, unemployed, underemployed, and other vulnerable populations in upstate New York.  High unemployment rates, a distressed economy, and a lack of affordable public access to high-speed broadband services, education, training and technical support have been particularly acute in geographically isolated upstate communities.  The grant will enable the State Library and its public library partners to purchase equipment to expand the public’s access to computers and teleconferencing.

“Broadbandexpress@yourlibrary will provide more than 860 computers in 30 libraries and five mobile training centers across 41 economically distressed upstate New York counties with populations totaling 6,655,824 (2008 census).  This grant will allow libraries to extend hours, provide 24/7 access to job search resources, and serve an estimated 50,000 additional users per week system-wide.

“New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner said, “Libraries are vital to our communities and our economy.  The increased broadband capacity, training and online resources funded through this grant will provide more New Yorkers with access to essential online information for work, healthcare, education, and citizenship as well as E-government resources.”

“What librarians and libraries do everyday is vitally important work,” said State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries Bernard Margolis.   ”Yet, even though New Yorkers turn to their public libraries more in difficult economic times, libraries themselves have suffered cuts and reductions to their valuable services.    This grant will enable our libraries to continue to do critically important work and to expand the opportunities, education, and services that high speed Internet provides to the unserved and underserved in our communities.”

“The New York State Library, within NYSED, worked with partner libraries throughout the state and the New York State Office of the Chief Information Officer/Office for Technology (CIO/OFT) to submit the proposal for the grant.  In order to participate in this matching grant, partner libraries must make an in-kind contribution to support the project.  The total in-kind match is $5.4 million. (A list of partner libraries accompanies this release.)

“CIO/OFT is very proud to continue supporting the innovative  Broadbandexpress@yourlibrary project,” said Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart, New York State CIO, Director of the Office For Technology, and Chair of the Broadband Development and Deployment Council.  “In these tough economic times, access to free resources is critical for New York’s citizens.  Many times, computers located in libraries are the only point of broadband contact for many citizens. Those who do not own a computer or have access to the internet often go to the library, where it is available for free. And for those who have never used a computer help is available. These grants will help ensure our libraries can continue to provide high-speed, reliable internet services and digital literacy training programs for our communities.”

“The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, funded by ARRA, provides matching grants to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas, enhance and expand public computer centers, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service.  Funded at $4.7 billion, BTOP will also advance ARRA’s objectives to spur job creation and stimulate long-term economic growth and opportunity.

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided a total of $7.2 billion to fund projects that will expand access to and adoption of broadband services. NTIA plans to announce all grant awards by September 30, 2010.

“The New York State Library is the largest state library in the nation.  In addition to its research collection of more than 20 million items, the State Library provides leadership and support to libraries and library systems throughout the state, maintains a Talking Book and Braille Library serving more than 39,000 New Yorkers, offers 24-hour access to an online catalog, and provides residents with 24/7 access to NOVELNY, New York’s first virtual library.  The State Library is located in the Empire State Plaza in Albany. For information call 518/474-5355 or go to www.nysl.nysed.gov.”

Francis, the former jockey and long-time mystery and thriller writer whose books more often than not centered around racing, died on Sunday at his home in the Cayman Islands. He was 89.

In the past few years, his son Felix and he collaborated on several books, including 2008’s “Silks” and 2009’s “Even Money.” A third book by the pair is expected to be released posthumously.

His first fiction work, “Dead Cert,” was published in 1962. He’s published at least one book a year since then. His writing honors include three Edgars, a Diamond Dagger Award and was named a Crime Writer’s Association Grand Master in 1996 for lifetime achievement.

The discussion will include looking at whether librarians are becoming obsolete in an age of Internet information sites and other topics relating to physical books.

The meeting, sponsored by the Westchester Library Association,” is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

For information about the library, call 914-422-1400. For information on the library association and its events, visit www.westchesterlibraryassociation.org.

The reading will be followed by a book signing and reception. Gill is a former Bronxville resident.

The event is open to the public. The library is at 201 Pondfield Ave.

Ellen Tannenbaum told me that adults and children are still awash in vampire literature, and that werewolves and zombies, which are beginning to get some ink, don’t appear to be the next craze as was first proposed.

Instead, the book “Fallen” by Lauren Kate seems to be getting the attention. It’s the story of a girl and boy who have been in a many-lives love affair with Biblical themes of good, evil, demons, angels and fallen angels. Especially fallen angels. Tannenbaum said it appears  to be getting the buzz that these days seems reserved for anything Twilight (or vampire-related).

“Fallen” is the first book in the series and leaves readers hanging; reviews have been mixed, but it is generating buzz. Can a movie be far behind?

Pellegrino, who has been a writer in residence at several schools, also has written several children’s books, including “Too Nice,” “My Grandma’s the Mayor” and “I Don’t Have an Uncle Phil Anymore.”

She lives in Tucson, Ariz.

The library is at 71 Columbus Ave. Call to register: 914-961-2121.

I read a lot of mysteries and even belong to the Mystery Guild book club. I like what are called “cozies” but a good police procedural will catch my attention as well.

So when I was scanning titles at Womrath’s in Bronxville recently, I came across an entire shelf of Donna Leon books, a name that wasn’t familiar but should have been considering how many books were on the rack. Even if I don’t read a lot of the current mystery authors, I’m usually familiar with their work. Leon’s work was unfamiliar.

Her series character, Guido Brunetti, is a police officer in modern Venice. The first book in the series, “Death at La Felice,” was written in 1993 and a new Brunetti story has seen print yearly since then.

I found “Death at La Felice” a delight. I found it equally delightful to know I have an entire series ahead of me, especially during this season when people ask me for a wishlist and I have some time to myself to read.

Here’s hoping all the readers out there have the good fortune to discover something new (or something old) to amuse and astound. Good hunting!

“The deadline is quickly approaching for Olive Garden’s 14th-annual Pasta Tales essay writing contest, which asks students to “Describe a teacher who has inspired you in school and how they have impacted your life.”

“From now through Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, Olive Garden’s Pasta Tales contest gives young writers in first- through 12th-grade throughout U.S. and Canada the opportunity to share stories about the most influential teachers in their lives.  Essays should be 50 to 250 words in length.

“Olive Garden’s Pasta Tales entry forms and complete rules are available at www.olivegarden.com/company/community/pasta_tales.asp and in local Olive Garden restaurants.

“The contest grand prize is a three-day trip to New York City, including dinner at the Olive Garden in Times Square and a $2,500 savings bond.  Winners also will be chosen in each grade category and will receive a $500 savings bond and a family dinner at their local Olive Garden restaurant.

“Pasta Tales entries must include the writer’s name, complete address, phone number with area code, grade, date of birth (including year) and a statement that the work is his or her own.  Entries must be submitted either online or postmarked by Dec. 11 and sent to Pasta Tales, PMB 2000, 6278 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33308-1916.

“Submissions will be judged based on creativity, adherence to theme, organization, grammar, punctuation and spelling by the Quill and Scroll Society of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Iowa, with finalists selected by Olive Garden.

“For more information about Pasta Tales, call Katie Lennon at (954) 776-1999, ext. 240 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.”

Have at!

“Author Jessica DuLong has written a book titled, “My River Chronicles, Rediscovering America on the Hudson.” Ms. DuLong will be at the Ossining Public Library on Wednesday, October 28th at 7 p.m. in the Budarz Theater. Books will be available for purchase and signing following the discussion.

“In rich and captivating prose, Jessica DuLong kindly invites the rest of us on the journey of her lifetime: from a dot-com job to the fabled waters of the Hudson River, where she became a fireboat engineer. This is an unusual and fascinating book.” – Jon Meacham, author of American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House.

“Because of Ms. DuLong’s knowledge and skills, in any given interview Jessica DuLong can discuss the following: What it was like being on the John J. Harvey following the September 11th attacks, pumping river water to firefighters at the World Trade Center site – the only water available to Ground Zero for days, How we as a society find meaning by working with our hands, How America was born on the Hudson River; creating a revolution that affected the entire world and the differences between white-collar and blue collar work. All of these topics make for a great discussion at the Ossining Public Library.

“Ms. DuLong became one of the world’s only female fireboat engineers and tells the story of a mechanic’s daughter and Stanford graduate who left her blue-collar upbringing behind for discovering the waters of the Hudson River.”

Here’s a press release we got from the National Council of Teachers of English:

“On October 8, the U.S. Senate unanimously agreed to S.RES.310, declaring the importance of writing to the nation and declaring October 20 the National Day on Writing.

On this day, The National Gallery of Writing will go live, unveiling over 5000 compositions in nearly 1500 local and partner galleries. Here’s the link: http://www.galleryofwriting.org/

As National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Past President Kathleen Blake Yancey notes, “People have always had the impulse to write.”  She adds that now, however, writing is “exploding” and taking on a new social dimension.

The first of its kind, the National Gallery will give the nation the opportunity to view writing from people of all ages and from all parts of the country.

NCTE established the National Gallery and the National Day to spotlight just how writing is changing.

Viewers will see an array of compositions that matter to their authors: personal writings, graphic representations, samples of work writings, videos, scrap writing, podcasts, and more. This snapshot, different from collections of school or work writing, will allow NCTE, and its 17 national partners, to begin reshaping a writing pedagogy to better develop writers of the future.”