[Libs-Or] Fwd: [alacro-l] Strong coalition calls on libraries to plan now to secure E-rate funding

[Suzanne Sager]

FYI,

Suzanne Sager

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Don Wood <dwood at ala.org>
Date: Tue, Apr 21, 2015 at 1:21 PM
Subject: [alacro-l] Strong coalition calls on libraries to plan now to
secure E-rate funding
To: "alacro-l at lists.ala.org" <alacro-l at lists.ala.org>


WASHINGTON, D.C.—Libraries now have an extraordinary opportunity to upgrade
their broadband following the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote
<http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/12/fcc-e-rate-action-expands-broadband-opportunities-libraries>
to modernize the E-rate program and address the broadband capacity gap
facing many public libraries. Today, a broad coalition of library
associations, which includes the American Library Association (ALA), calls
upon libraries to act to convert this policy win in Washington to real
benefit for America’s communities. The organizations released a letter (pdf)
<http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/joint%20library%20E-rate%20letter%204_21_15.pdf>
today updating library leaders on the next phase of E-rate advocacy.



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)
<http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/joint%20library%20E-rate%20letter%204_21_15.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? <http://www.ala.org/advocacy/goterate>. Additionally, follow E-rate
news on the District Dispatch.



*About the American Library Association*

The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library
association in the world, with approximately 55,000 members in academic,
public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the
American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development,
promotion and improvement of library and information services and the
profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access
to information for all.





-- 
Suzanne L. Sager
Oregon ALA Representative
Portland State University Library
PO Box 1151
Portland, OR  97207-1151

Phone: 503-725-8169
Fax: 503-725-5799

email: sagers at pdx.edu
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