U.S. EMBASSY ANNOUNCES TERMS FOR LIBRARY INTERNET COMPETITION

The Public Affairs Section of The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv is pleased to present the terms for the Library Electronic Access Project (LEAP), a nationwide and open competition that was announced previously by U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Carlos Pascual and the U.S. Coordinator for Assistance to New Independent States Ambassador William Taylor at a press conference November 1, 2000.

The aim of LEAP is to assist public libraries in providing information services for their patrons while supporting a free and open information exchange, which is important for Ukraine's reform efforts and its integration into the larger world community. LEAP foresees the financing of Internet-Centers in at least 15 Ukrainian public libraries that will be selected on the basis of an open competition. All centers will be accessible for library patrons at no additional charge during the term of the project (2 years). The general budget of the program is $ 400,000.

The application deadline is April 24, 2001.

You can receive information about the competition, including complete terms and an application form, via: e-mail (kyivIRC@state.gov), at the Embassy site (http://kyiv.usembassy.gov), by mail or in person.

Contact Information:

Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy
63, Melnykova St., Kyiv 04050
Tel: (044) 213-7757