A multi-million dollar grant is bringing broadband internet and videoconferencing equipment to public libraries across Alaska this year. Unalaska’s public library is using its new equipment to host workshops and reading sessions.

On an usually sunny afternoon in Unalaska, a handful of kids are clustered around a television screen in the conference room at the public library. A woman introduces herself.

“Well, my name is Ann Dixon. And I’m a writer and librarian. And behind me are some of the books that I have written.”

Dixon is a popular Alaskan children’s author, best known for her book Blueberry Shoes. She lives in Homer, so visiting Unalaska for storytime would normally be out of the question, but with the help of the library’s new videoconferencing equipment, it wasn’t a problem.

“What do you think you need when you start writing a book?" Dixon asks. The kids reply in unison: "Paper!”

Video chat isn’t exactly new technology, but it does require fast internet. And fast internet is expensive in Unalaska. $66,000 a year, to be precise. Librarian Dan Masoni says paying for that out of the library’s budget would require cutting other services. That’s where the $8.2 million dollar Online with Libraries or OWL grant comes in.

“The grant will bring high-speed broadband access into every public library in Alaska, videoconferencing into every public library in Alaska," Masoni says.

He thinks access to broadband internet creates new possibilities for residents -- possibilities that would other be unavailable.

“We are the, underlined, exclamation point, internet source for most of this community.”

Last year the library counted 150,000 people through the door - and most of them were there to use the internet. Masoni is optimistic that the faster speeds will encourage innovation - like storytime - although he hopes that in the long run, children aren’t the only beneficiaries of the new technology. He thinks the video conferencing equipment could be used by businesses for job interviews and meetings or by the public for lectures and research.

It’s clear there are still a few kinks to work out though. Halfway through a story, Dixon's voice turns into a nails-on-the-chalkboard screech. The kids look to the adults to fix the problem and the adults look around for someone in charge. Eventually it resolves itself.

Technical difficulties aren’t the only problem. Money is also an issue.  The OWL funding is scheduled to run out next fall - and it’s unclear what will happen to the broadband connection at that point. Masoni says the state is working on funding packages, but so far, there’s nothing concrete.

“If the funding isn’t available from the outside, we’re going to massage our budget to keep good connectivity going here.”

It would be hard to go back to the slower speeds, for everyone.

“The fast internet, it can really spoil you," Masoni says. "I go home and I have a private circuit I pay for and I sit there and when it takes three to four minutes for Google to paint versus here when I just click it on, it’s there. Unfortunately, where we live put us at the short end of the stick for transmission speeds and that’s sad. But it will get better.”

One might say it already is.

The Craig Public Library is hosting an event called “Pitchapalooza” via OWL videoconference Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The event gives Alaskan writers the chance to pitch book ideas to a group of publishers and agents. For more information you can contact the public library at 581-5060.