Assistance Programs > Library Electronic Access Project (LEAP)


LEAP Centers in Ukraine

In the last six years, over 130 Internet centers have been opened in public libraries throughout Ukraine as part of the Library Electronic Access Project (LEAP) of the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy. The goal of the program is to provide public libraries with free public access to the Internet and to support the free and open exchange of information that is essential for Ukraine's integration with the world community.

Almost 500 libraries took part in the LEAP grant competitions.

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September 3-6, 2007: Twenty two public library directors from various Ukrainian regions met on September 3-6 in Crimean cities Simferopol and Yevpatoria to discuss Internet access issues and the role of libraries in broadening access to electronic information. Kiev IRC staff and PAO assistant held a workshop entitled, "Library Electronic Access Project (LEAP) of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine: Analyzing Experience, Planning the Future." Library directors visited LEAP Internet centers in Crimean I. Franko Republican Library, Crimean-Tatar Gasprinsky Republican Library, Yevpatoria City Public Library; discussed best practices for administering a LEAP center and grant management; received training in providing free access to information. The workshop and the Internet center opened in Yevpatoria City Library with the help of the U.S. Embassy grant was covered in the local "Yevpatoriyskaya Zdravnitsa" newspaper with the audience of 25,200. Yevpartoria Deputy Mayor Mr. Valeriy Batiuk as well as all 22 library directors from various parts of Ukraine gave the recognition to the Embassy and U.S. government for funding this important program.
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INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTER CONDUCTS LEAP WORKSHOP IN KHERSON OBLAST LIBRARY

August 20-22, 2007: Kyiv IRC staff and the PAO assistant held a workshop entitled, "Electronic Resources for Everyone: Strategies and Tactics of Internet Center Creation in Public Libraries of Ukraine." Thirteen public library directors, the winners of the latest round of Library Electronic Access (LEAP) grants, received training in providing free access to information and grant management. Kherson Deputy Mayor Serhiy Cherevko, Kalanchak Rayon Administration Head Vasyl Bohunenko and Kalanchak Rayon Council Head Mykola Sheptura praised the U.S. Embassy for supporting the development of Internet centers in their public libraries. With the opening of 13 new LEAP centers in various regions of Ukraine more Ukrainian citizens will receive free access to information. It will serve to bridge the digital divide in Ukrainian society and broaden the partnership between the United States and Ukraine.
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U.S. EMBASSY AWARDS 16 GRANTS TO UKRAINIAN LIBRARIES TO OPEN INTERNET CENTERS

The U.S. Embassy has awarded grants to 16 Ukrainian public libraries to open free public Internet centers as part of the Library Electronic Access Project (LEAP). The goal of this program is to support Ukrainian citizens' access to information, a cornerstone of democracy.
Since 2001, the U.S. government has devoted more than $1.5 million to improving Ukrainian citizens' access to information by opening free Internet centers in public libraries. Libraries have received grants of up to $10,000 for computer equipment, software, and two years of Internet access. Today's grants bring the number of Internet centers opened in Ukraine under this project up to 130.

The 16 winning libraries are:

1. Bakhchisaray Centralized Library System (Crimea)
2. Bohuslav Central Rayon Library (Kyiv Oblast)
3. Brianka Centarl City Library (Luhansk Oblast)
4. Chornomorsk Centralized Library System (Crimea)
5. Kakhovka Central Rayon Library (Kherson Oblast)
6. Nadvirna Central Rayon Library (Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast)
7. Perechyn Central Rayon Library (Zakarpattia Oblast)
8. Rogatyn Central Rayon Library (Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast)
9. Shostka Central City Library (Sumy Oblast)
10. Tiachiv Central Rayon Library (Zakarpattia Oblast)
11. Verhniodniprovsk Central Rayon Library (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast)
12. Voznesensk Central Rayon Library (Mykolayiv Oblast)
13. Zachepylivka Central Rayon Library (Kharkiv Oblast)
14. Stakhanov Central City Library (Luhansk Oblast)
15. Konotop Central Rayon Library (Sumy Oblast)
16. Storozhynets Central Rayon Library (Chernivtsi Oblast)

(LEAP news archive)