Chicago Public Library Receives $1 Million Grant From Gates Foundation

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Emanuel has announced a $1 million grant from the Gates Foundation which is designed to help move the Chicago Public Library into the future with more technology.

This grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will - in Mayor Emanuel's words - help move the Chicago Public Library from the back of the bus - technologically speaking - to the front.

"A year ago we had, literally, computers with no software. Today we're on the cutting edge of how to integrate technology into making a community library all that more accessible 24/7, 52 weeks a year."

The first phase of the $1 million grant is going into a maker lab which will let people experiment with 3-D software, 3-D printing and other emerging technology.