E-rate
USAC - The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund (E-rate) is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and provides discounts to assist schools and libraries to obtain affordable Internet access and advanced technologies. Schools and libraries can apply annually for discounts of from 20-90% on Internet access, hardware to support wifi networks and fiber build outs.
Weekly Schools and Libraries News Brief
Some states with high E-rate participation have produced their own training materials. These might be helpful in going step by step through forms:
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
All libraries that receive E-rate discounts for Internet Access, Internal Connections, Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections or Managed Internal Broadband Services must be compliant with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Computers and/or Internet purchased with LSTA funds must also be CIPA compliant.
To be CIPA compliant, a library must:
- Filter visual images of child pornography, obscene material and images that are harmful to minors (for use on computers accessed by minors)
- Have an Internet Safety Policy
- Hold at least one meeting open to the public where the filter and internet safety policy are discussed. A board meeting open to the public is an example of a public meeting. Save meeting minutes and public notice announcing the meeting agenda.
