The Middle Georgia Regional Library System serves 83,000 patrons in six counties, a 9.6 percent increase over 2008. In Macon, Washington Memorial Public Library will use Knight funds to transform itself from an aging traditional public library into a hub for information and community activities.

The project combines access to computers, training and software with a reconfiguration and updating of the library's reading room and children's section. The project's focus will be the purchase of 70 desktop computers, plus 15 laptops for patron checkout. Wireless access will be upgraded so neighboring residents may use free wireless. New software for the children's area will give the littlest patrons a good start in computers.

The project will fulfill the increased demand for digital access by patrons who would otherwise have none. The library anticipates usage to increase from 60,700 sessions per year to over 120,000. It plans to schedule four to eight classes per month with about 2,000 Macon residents benefiting from the classes each year.