The Edge Coalition

The Edge Coalition is a unique constellation of organizations that mirror the fields of library and local government practice. The organizations, each with diverse constituencies and core competencies, bring a variety of perspectives to the development of the Edge benchmarks and are united in the common cause of ensuring that the life-enriching benefits of using technology are available to all people regardless of education, income or where they live.

Led by the Urban Libraries Council, the following organizations are working to develop the "first-ever" set of national benchmarks to support public access technology in libraries.

American Library Association Office for Information Technology Policy

The Office for Information Technology Policy advances the American Library Association's (ALA) public policy activities by helping secure information technology policies that support and encourage efforts of libraries to ensure access to electronic information resources as a means of upholding the public's right to a free and open information society. OITP works to ensure a library voice in information policy debates and to promote full and equitable intellectual participation by the public. With more than 63,000 members, the ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world and represents all types of libraries and library staff.

Media Contact: Jazzy Wright jwright@alawash.org (202) 628-8410
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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life.

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California State Library

The California State Library, a California public research institution, provides its customers with the accurate, up-to-date information they need to do their jobs easily, quickly, and confidently. Whether you are an elected official, a state employee, a representative of one of California's libraries, a person with special reading needs or a member of the general public, the California State Library is here for you.

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International City/County Management Association

ICMA advances professional local government worldwide. Its mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and advancing professional management of local government. ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, provides member support; publications, data, and information; peer and results-oriented assistance; and training and professional development to more than 9,000 city, town, and county experts and other individuals and organizations throughout the world. The management decisions made by ICMA's members affect millions of individuals living in thousands of communities, from small villages and towns to large metropolitan areas.

Media Contact: Ron Supan rsupan@icma.org (202) 962-3527
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LYRASIS

LYRASIS partners with member libraries to create, access and manage information, while building and sustaining collaboration, enhancing library and technology operations, and increasing buying power.

Media Contact: Kate Nevins kate.nevins@lyrasis.org (404) 592-4898
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OCLC

OCLC is a nonprofit, membership, library cooperative that serves libraries worldwide. WebJunction, a service of OCLC, is a learning community for library staff. Since its launch in 2003, WebJunction has helped more than 70,000 library staff build the job skills they need to meet the challenges of today's libraries, including public access technology. WebJunction members attend courses and programs, share knowledge and network with others – all in an environment that fosters collaboration and mutual support.

Media contact: Bob Murphy murphyb@oclc.org (614)761-5136
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Oklahoma Department of Libraries

The Oklahoma Department of Libraries is the official state library of Oklahoma. The agency serves the information and records management needs of state government, assists with public library development, coordinates library and information technology projects for the state, and serves the general public through its specialized collections.

Media contact: William R. Young byoung@oltn.odl.state.ok.us (405)522-3562
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Public Library Association

The Public Library Association (PLA), with more than 9,000 members, is one of the largest divisions of the American Library Association (ALA). Founded in 1944, PLA is a member-driven organization with a core purpose to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. PLA provides a diverse program of communication, publication, advocacy, continuing education, and programming for its members and others interested in the advancement of public library service. With more than 59,000 members, ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world and represents all types of libraries and library staff.

Media Contact: Amy Sargent asargent@ala.org (800) 545-2433 ext. 5024
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TechSoup Global

TechSoup is a nonprofit with a clear focus: providing other nonprofits and libraries with technology that empowers them to fulfill their missions and serve their communities. As part of that goal, TechSoup connects organizations with donated technology products and information geared specifically to the unique challenges they face. Visited by over 188,000 individuals monthly, this online community is a place to build capacity, make connections, and share solutions.

Media contact: Sarah Washburn Sarah@techsoupglobal.org (415) 633-9428
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Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Formed in 1909, Texas State Library Association Commission is committed to giving Texans access to information and programs they can use to improve their lives and communities. The agency provides historical and genealogical search assistance, federal and state government documents and electronic research and library services to all Texans, including those who cannot read standard print materials.

Media Contact: Stacey Million smillion@tsl.state.tx.us (512) 463.5514
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University of Maryland, Information Policy & Access Center

The Information Policy & Access Center is a response to the pressing need for research on the processes, practices, policies, and social issues that govern access to information in our increasingly digital information society. iPAC's research focuses what policies and/or technologies lead to equitable and inclusive information access, a digitally literate population, an informed and engaged public, or access Internet-enabled resources and technologies, among key examples. iPAC is situated in the College of Information Studies at the the University of Maryland, College Park, which is a public research university, the flagship campus of the University System of Maryland, and the original 1862 land-grant institution in the State. It is one of only 62 members of the Association of American Universities, an organization composed of the leading research universities in the United States and Canada. The University of Maryland is committed to achieving excellence as the State’s primary center of research and graduate education and the institution of choice for undergraduate students of exceptional ability and promise.

Media Contact: Mary E. Carroll-Mason mcmason@umd.edu
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University of Washington Information School

The University of Washington Information School believes in the power of information to change lives. Through instruction, research and practice, the UW Information School, or "iSchool," is shaping the ways people create, store, find, manipulate and share information. Our work helps people address information challenges more ethically, effectively and with a heightened sense of possibility. The UW iSchool offers a Bachelor of Science in Informatics degree; three graduate degrees: Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Science in Information Management; and a Ph.D. in Information Science.

Media Contact: Lori Dugdale; ldugdale@uw.edu (206)-221-6182
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Urban Libraries Council

Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is a membership organization made up of North America's premier public library systems and the corporations supporting them. While ULC's members primarily represent urban and suburban settings, the work done by ULC is widely used by all libraries including those in rural settings. ULC strategically addresses issues important to all communities including education, workforce and economic development, public safety, environmental sustainability, health, and wellness. ULC's members are thought leaders dedicated to the continuous evolution and strengthening of libraries to meet changing community needs. As ULC celebrates its forty-year anniversary, its work focuses on helping library leaders develop and utilize skills and strategies that match the challenges of the 21st century.

Media Contact: Alison Saffold asaffold@urbanlibraries.org (312) 676-0953
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