‘Tis the season for Trick-or-Treating and Tech Plans! For those of you new to E-Rate and Technology Planning, the State Library of Kansas has provided an overview:
What is E-Rate?
E-Rate is the common term for the Schools and Libraries Program administered by the Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company. The program, funded through contributions from telecommunications service providers to the Universal Service Fund, provides discounts to schools and libraries purchasing eligible internet access, telephone service, and internal connections.E-Rate requires filling out 3 to 4 forms:
- Form 470 describes your library’s needs for Internet connections, telephone service, or networking between computers. Vendors can read your form online and submit bids to provide your library with these services.
- Form 470 requires approval of a three year technology plan by the Kansas State Library.
- Instructions for writing a three year technology plan
- Template for three year technology plan- Form 471 tells the Schools and Libraries Division what bids for services you accepted. It identifies the vendors who will be providing these services and how much these services will probably cost. The form requires calculating your e-rate discount based on the eligibility of students in your school district for free and reduced lunches.
- Form Instructions- Form 486 tells the Schools and Libraries Division that the services have been delivered and how much the services actually cost. This gives the Schools and Libraries Division permission to now pay the vendors.
- Form 472 asks for reimbursement for the difference between the amount you paid and the cost of the services after the discount.
Forms? What forms? Northeast Kansas Library System libraries may have these forms managed and submitted by two different contractors:
- Kan-ed’s BTU Consultants for the Kan-ed 2.0 Internet connection and
- eRate Solutions for telephone and all non-Kan-ed Internet connectivity.
Completing the FCC Form 479 and Letter of Agency (LOA) is a simple process. To make it even simpler, I have found and tweaked some Instructions from the Georgia Public Library Service. We can provide your Billed Entity Number if you can’t find it from a prior year.
Now, onto the fun stuff…
Technology Planning. Every three years, libraries are asked to create a Technology Plan and submit it to the State Library of Kansas for review and approval. Visit the State Library’s site to see if you have a Plan on file! I know of eleven (11) libraries that need to update their plans.
Last year, we had a workshop on Technology Planning that has been archived. The post includes the audio file, information about Tech Plans and a list of ideas for things you can add to your Plan. I would add to that list, “Purchase eBook device” and maybe look at the eBook Devices Cheat Sheet to find one that will work with OverDrive.
If you have questions, want additional assistance, or need sample Technology Plans and Technology Plan Budgets, contact Sharon. Laura is also available to help with LOA and Form 479 questions.
