RIGA- Latvia's National Library could receive up to $6 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates fund as part of the international library support program, said Margita Zalite, spokeswoman for Latvia's Culture Ministry.
Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis informed Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft, about Latvia's National Library project in March. In July, Latvia received an invitation to apply for funding from the network of public libraries.
Before the final decision is made, the Latvian delegation will fly to Seattle for a bureau meeting Aug. 11-12. Culture Minister Helena Demakova and Latvia's National Library director Andris Vilks will attend the conference.
The money will be used for computer hardware and training. The recipients are not obliged to buy Miscrosoft software.
