Library receives web cam hookup

By Staff
The William Bradford Huey Library of Hartselle is one of 106 public libraries across the state participating in a Connecting Families Project.
A computer with a built-in web cam is now available for use by families with military personnel serving in distant locations where broadband audio and video service is available.
The project was initiated by Gov. Bob Riley recently when he and Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) Director Rebecca Mitchell joined with the family of Col. Chris Mitchell to witness a video link with their husband and father who is stationed in Iraq.
The project came about after Alabama National Guardsman CWO Randy Hickman contacted the governor’s office and explained that, although he had broadband capabilities in Iraq, his family in rural Alabama did not.
Thus, a partnership was arranged with APLS to provide broadband service at 106 libraries in the state, at a cost of $187,000.