The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a grant of more than $9 million to provide computers, Internet access, and training to 368 public libraries in Chile. The grant, which will be administered by the Chilean Directorate of Libraries, Archives and Museums, will fund an estimated 1,800 computers, 17 computer training labs, and four mobile laptop labs.

"The Chilean effort to expand public access to digital information is a tremendous example of the power of partnerships," said Richard Akeroyd, executive director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Libraries and Public Access to Information programs. "The impressive set of partners that the Chileans have assembled inspires us. They have truly set an example to which libraries in the United States and around the world should aspire."

In addition to the grant from the Gates Foundation, Microsoft's Chilean subsidiary has committed $1.2 million in software to the project, while the Chilean government is contributing $6.7 million. The total cost of the project is estimated at more than $20 million.