Editing Gates Foundation (section)

===Libraries===
In 1997, the charity introduced a U.S. Libraries initiative with a goal of "ensuring that if you can get to a public library, you can reach the internet". The foundation has given grants, installed computers and software, and provided training and technical support in partnership with public libraries nationwide to increase access and knowledge.<ref name="Bill 2014">{{cite web|website=Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation|date=2014|title=What We Do: Global Libraries Strategy Overview|url=http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Development/Global-Libraries|access-date=April 13, 2014|archive-date=December 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223064850/http://www.gatesfoundation.org/what-we-do/global-development/global-libraries|url-status=live}}</ref> Helping provide access and training for these resources, this foundation helps move public libraries into the digital age.<ref name="Bill 2014"/>

Most recently, the foundation gave a $12.2 million grant to the [[Southeastern Library Network]] (SOLINET) to assist libraries in Louisiana and Mississippi on the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast]], many of which were damaged or destroyed by [[Hurricane Katrina|Hurricanes Katrina]] and [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]].{{fact|date=April 2025}}