University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The School of Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is home to WiderNet@UNC, a service project that aims to improve digital communications for people in need of educational resources, knowledge, and training. WiderNet@UNC will build a coalition of correctional institutions to increase the use of off-line digital education resources in the innovative Corrections Off-Line Education Platform, creating opportunities to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism for millions in the U.S. prison system. Outcomes will include a prototype collection and a blueprint for a long-term, sustained effort to improve information access for librarians, educators, and students in correctional institutions. This project will serve as resource for prison educators and librarians to develop an off-line alternative to the internet that delivers abundant resources for teaching English as a Second Language, GED preparation, high school completion, post-secondary courses, life skills, and vocational training.