The Forks Initiative

(http://www.forks.org)
 
 

The Forks Initiative is a community-wide project that provides local access to electronic information in the greater Albion community. Its mission is to research, develop and implement information technologies that help build a stronger community.

The Vision

The Forks Initiative provides local access to electronic information that meets the diverse educational, cultural and informational needs of our community.

The Partners

• Albion College
• Albion Public Library
• Albion Economic Development Corpration
• Albion Public Schools
• Chamber of Commerce
• Trillium Hospital
• Albion Volunteer Service Center
• City of Albion
• Starr Commonwealth
• Woodlands Library Cooperative

Phase I 
1996-1997

• Modem access to the Internet
• Community Web Pages
• Internet Classes
• Connectivity Help
• Internet access computers at City Hall, Volunteer Center, Chamber of Commerce, Public Library
• Web-based community calendar
• Automate Public Library and School Libraries

Phase II 
1997-

• Develop training for education and business users
• Develop instructional programs for software and hardware
• Work on leveling playing field for access to information resources in schools, business and community.
• Grants for teachers to develop curriculum and/or attend professional conferences.
• Coordinate collaborative efforts (DIAL, cable television programming, satellite programs) and the Public Library, which has been the point of service for Forks projects because of the nature of the mission (Libraries for the Future).
• Continue the context of cooperation with county and state initiatives
• Continue work on city fiber plan including cable franchise negotiations
• GIS Project with city of Albion and Albion College.
• Add content to the Libraries' local web pages.