Library coalition members include the American Indian Library Association; the American Library Association; the Association for Rural & Small Libraries; the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums; the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies; the Public Library Association; and the Urban Libraries Council. Now that the 2015 E-rate application window is closed, the library organizations encourage libraries to revisit their plans for 2016 and beyond with the new opportunities in mind.

“Our associations came together during the E-rate modernization proceeding at the Federal Communications Commission to provide a library voice to ensure libraries across the country—tribal, rural, suburban, and urban—have access to affordable high-capacity broadband to the building and robust Wi-Fi within the building,” coalition partners wrote in a letter (pdf) to library leaders. “The Commission opened a door for libraries, and it is in our collective best interest to walk through it and demonstrate the positive impact of the additional $1.5 billion in funding and the opportunity provided by the changes.”

“The additional $1.5. billion in funding translates to hundreds of millions for libraries each year,” said Courtney Young, president of the American Library Association. “The library community worked diligently and collaboratively for nearly two years to advocate on behalf of libraries across the country in connection with the FCC’s E-rate proceeding—but our work is not finished. We must look forward and think of new ways that E-rate can be used to support our broadband network and connectivity goals.”

Library leaders are encouraged to share details with their library associations on their experiences applying for and receiving E-rate funds. Send your comments to Marijke Visser, associate director of the American Library Association’s Office for Information Technology Policy, at mvisser[at]alawash[dot]org. Discover library E-rate resources and tools at Got E-rate?. Additionally, follow E-rate news on the District Dispatch.

The post Coalition Calls on Libraries to Plan Now to Secure E-rate Funding first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The E-Rate program is built to “help libraries gain affordable, high capacity broadband. . . ; boost library participation in the program; and increase the efficiency of the application and review process” for eligible libraries. Furthermore, the “Got E-Rate?” page lists information about the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reforms of the E-Rate programs and what this means to libraries, particularly public libraries. The page has a lot of information that may or may not be difficult for you to decipher, so I recommend taking a look at “Library Leaders: E-Rate Opportunities Take Center Stage” by Marijke Visser.

Visser breaks down the main take-aways of the E-Rate program with these points:

1. About $1.5 billion has been added to the funding for the E-Rate program
2. The American Library Association, Public Library Association, state library agencies, and other organizations will produce E-rate resources that are aimed to provide libraries that are interested in applying for E-rate funding with “communications, education, practical tools, and technical support.”
3. Increasing broadband capacity is not simply for rural libraries, but also applies to suburban and urban libraries that may need to expand their services.

After reading both of these articles, I had a few initial thoughts:

1. As a librarian, I am (typically) aware and/or reminded of the digital divide in communities. Connecting and working with librarians throughout the state and nation has exposed me to the different resources available (or unavailable) to public libraries and the disparities between communities. However…
2. …as an individual, I tend to forget about things like the “digital divide.” This is easy to do when I’m in my own little world, streaming music from my iPhone on my way to work, and watching Netflix on Apple TV at home. But…
3. ..the digital divide is real. Just take a look at the statistics, “How Americans Go Online” published by Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Library Project. The graph shows the correlation between lower income and education levels with lower access to Internet usage at home and in general. Race and geographic location affect the result.

The Internet is a necessity for not just checking email or research, but also for applying for jobs, learning new technological skills, and gaining confidence. If a person is unable to have broadband access at home, it is all the more imperative that their local library have sufficient access to not only bridge the gap in the digital divide, but also in digital literacy. What are your experiences with broadband access in your community?

Sources

“Got E-rate?” Got E-rate? Web. 22 Feb. 2015. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/goterate

“Library Leaders: E-rate Opportunities Take Center Stage.” District Dispatch. 28 Jan. 2015. Web. 1 Mar. 2015. http://www.districtdispatch.org/2015/01/library-leaders-e-rate-opportunities-take-center-stage

“How Americans Go Online.” Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS. 24 Sept. 2013. Web. 24 Feb. 2015. <http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/09/25/how-americans-go-online/>.

The post Got E-Rate? Bridging the Broadband Divide with the E-Rate Program first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Maximizing impact
In addition to increased funding, changing the types of services that are allowed for reimbursement will more specifically target the audience this funding is intended to reach: students without reliable wireless connectivity. The program aims to reach an additional 10 million students by 2016.

Modernization
The plan shifts funding away from what was known as “Category 1” services toward “Category 2” services. This will move funding in phases toward broadband-related needs like wireless service and away from standard telephone service, web hosting, and text messaging. Funding for email services is also eliminated.

Funding discontinued for the following Category 1 services:

• 900/976 call blocking
• custom calling services
• direct inward dialing
• directory assistance charges
• email
• inside wire maintenance plans
• paging
• text messaging
• voice mail
• web hosting

Category 2 services include those needed to establish and maintain broadband connections within libraries and schools. Category 2 services qualifying for FY2015 e-rate funding include:

• Access points used in a local area network (LAN) or wireless local area network (WLAN) environment (such as wireless access points)
• Antennas, cabling, connectors, and related components used for internal broadband connections
• Caching
• Firewall services and components
• Switches
• Routers
• Racks
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)/Battery Backup
• Wireless controller systems
• Software supporting each of the components on this list used to distribute high-speed broadband throughout school buildings and libraries
• Repair and upkeep of eligible hardware
• Wire and cable maintenance
• Configuration changes
• Basic technical support including online and telephone based technical support
• Software upgrades and patches including bug fixes and security patches

Streamlining
One of the most notable changes is that a technology plan is no longer required for funding. The application is designed to make the process “faster, simpler and more efficient” than it has been in previous years. All documents will be filed electronically. The emphasis will be on faster turnaround times so that schools and libraries can focus their resources on building strong, internal broadband and wireless systems.

Resources
USAC Schools and Libraries E-Rate Modernization Order

District Dispatch: New Year, New E-rate: E-rate implementation begins

District Dispatch: E-rate modernization process in the news

The post FY2015 E-rate Funding Targeted Toward Expanding and Modernizing Wireless Networks in Schools and Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.