Discounts For Internet Service
For public libraries interested in participating in the E-Rate Program, the filing window has opened for FY2024-25. Under the auspices of the FCC, the federal E-Rate Program helps make Internet service more affordable by providing substantial discounts on monthly Internet bills from local Internet providers. The program also offers discounts on internal Internet connections, all to eligible schools and public libraries.
The now widespread use of digital resources for student achievement, coupled with the need for online job searching, for online retirement instruction, and for general work-life skills in the digital age has led to a critical need for excellent broadband Internet in school and public libraries. Participating in E-Rate can help save local library budgets between 60-80% off the cost of monthly Internet service.
Form 470 is the first of three forms which must be filed in sequence to begin the process. Form 470 opens the required bidding process to let Internet vendors know that you are seeking service for your library. The Form 470 window is likely to remain open into early February; the closing date has yet to be determined by the FCC.
The Library Resource Technicians (LRTs) at each District are ready and able to help you get started with E-Rate, including setting up an appointment to walk through filing Form 470 with you using Teamviewer Screen Share. If you would like to set up an appointment for this purpose, simply contact your District LRT:
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At Sioux City Public Library
Sioux City Public Library has kits to check out for book club fans. These kits are available to borrow for any adult patrons who are interested in leading a book group or for anyone looking to make recommendations to their book group.
Fiction and nonfiction titles are included in this collection. Among the titles are Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder, Midwest Futures by Phil Christman, Days Without End by Sebastian Barry, Paradise Falls: The True Story of an Environmental Catastrophe by Keith O’Brien.
What’s Included
- A handy book club tote bag
- Six (6) copies of each book; titles are curated to spark conversation
- A sheet with tips for hosting a book discussion and questions that can help start
the conversation
Patrons can find the full assortment of these kits on Sioux City Library's catalog or browse through them in person at the Wilbur Aalfs Downtown Library. The kits are kept behind the main circ desk and check out for six weeks.
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Accessible Small and Rural Communities Grants
This story is thanks to Michelle Anderson, Director of Atlantic Public Library. It’s all about a grant opportunity from the organization Libraries Transform. The grant project itself is called Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities Grant.
Michelle is happy to tell the story of how valuable receiving this grant has been to Atlantic PL, here’s why: “With the $20,000 my library got, we are essentially rebuilding an unreliable elevator. I held conversations with a group of retirees and a group of folks with various disabilities. Both named the elevator as a barrier to accessing services when it wasn't working for three months last year. This grant funding didn't even cover the cost of the down payment, but it did create urgency for the elevator to be funded in the city's capital improvement plan earlier than originally planned.”
About These Grants
There is a specific intent for these grants. Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities will offer more than $7 million to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities. To be eligible, a library must have a legal area population of 25,000 or less and be located at least five miles from an urbanized area, in keeping with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions of small and rural libraries. ALA will award two rounds of grants to be distributed over the next three years ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.
Michelle writes: “my one bit of advice for now: don’t get dissuaded by the application length. If you ever need any assistance, the staff at ALA’s Public Programs Office is very quick to help and respond to any questions you may have. And I’m happy to answer any questions from my own experience with the application and fulfilling the grant guidelines. If my library secured this funding, so can yours! “
The grant application closes on December 11, 2023. So there’s still time to think this through! And I’ll add my advice to Michelle’s: grant opportunities like this present a great time to turn to your library’s strategic plan. Rely on goals in your plan—service, programming, funding, building goals—outlined in your plan and see if a Libraries Transforming Communities Grant might just help you accomplish those goals!
Learn more at the link below, where you’ll also find grant guidelines, an FAQ page, an instructional webinar recorded on October 4, and the application form itself. My thanks to Michelle Anderson for this news!
With the Thanksgiving break this week, look for continuing education classes to resume after the holiday. Here’s what’s on tap for next week:
Check It Out! Online November 28. 11:00AM-12:00PM
Check it Out! is a monthly webinar series from the State Library spotlighting the best new books for ages 0-18. Youth Services Consultant Janeé Jackson-Doering will share collection development tips, programming ideas, and new titles galore for kids and teens.
“Early Bird” Summer Reading Planning Virtual Training.
Online November 29. 9:30-11:30AM
It’s never too early to start planning for Summer Library Programming! In this workshop, Janeé Jackson-Doering will guide participants through the best practices, activities, ideas and resources for youth ages 0-18. Come share ideas—and gain new ones—with other youth librarians across the state in breakout rooms. Get inspired to Read, Renew, and Repeat in 2024!
Intersections: Where Cities and Their Libraries Meet.
Online November 30. 6:00-7:00PM
“Intersections: Where City and Library Meet” is a three-part series, highlighting best practices for city governments and city libraries to meet in the middle comparing policy and practice. #3 in this fall series is “City Staff, Library Staff” exploring common ground and the responsibilities of the city and the library board in matters of personnel. Registrations is handled via ZOOM to make it easier for city personnel to attend. A full description of each session is available on the Zoom registration page linked below.
All State Library offices will be closed for the
Thanksgiving Holiday November 22-24.
Look for the next Monday Morning Eye-Opener
on December 4 😊
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