[Publib] RE: Library Technology Plans - summer project

Fri Jun 20 12:09:12 EDT 2008

I must respectfully take issue with some of the points raised by Jaquelyne Siminitus.

Although our own public library has a Technology Plan in place, it did involve quite a bit of paperwork and had to secure approval by both the regional system as well as the Illinois State Library.  Our own Library has a rather large computer infrastructure (well over 100 PCs) and a technically proficient staff that has "off desk" time to work on such a chore.  Not every public library has such advantages.

In fact, only 11% of the 9,500 (or so) public libraries in the USA serve communities with populations of 50,000 or more.  The vast majority of US public libraries serve very small populations, possess very small budgets, and have only a handful of staff members who are stretched very thin just to keep services going (especially during Summers).  Such libraries are not well suited to jumping through paperwork hoops such as those demanded by the E-Rate program.  Although these small (often rural) libraries need E-Rate discounts the most, the paperwork hurdles demanded of the E-Rate program have all but precluded them from participating.

Several of my staff have proven ability in compiling complicated, detailed annual reports, grant documents and complex paperwork.  They all consider the E-Rate application process to be the single most difficult and arcane of any that they must deal with on a yearly basis -- and it has become considerably less complicated than it was back in 1999-2001 when I was on the E-Rate Task Force.

I want to see more libraries receiving E-Rate DISCOUNTS.  But why can't economically disadvantaged public libraries just receive DISCOUNTS through this program for telephone and telecommunications connections and not have to go through a "competitive application process" annually to receive a REBATE a year or more after the expenses have been incurred?

The E-Rate Program should have insured that the United States maintained progress in technology, but it has not.  John Windhausen, President of Telepoly Consulting, reported at ALA Mid Winter Meeting in January 2008 that broadband issues have long been becoming critical in the United States.  He maintains that the United States has gone from 3rd in the World in 1999 to 20th in 2006 in the percentage of our population on broadband internet connections.  Norway, Sweden and Canada rank ahead of the United States despite the large percentage of rural areas in those countries.   Windhausen claims that the United States is among the slowest in the industrialized world in terms of transmission speed and that 52.3% of the public libraries in our country currently have insufficient band width.

James B. Casey  --- My own views
Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
ALA Council Memmber
Member of E-Rate Task Force, 1999-2001.

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of SIMINITUS, JACQUELYN E (ATTPB)
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 9:53 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Library Technology Plans - summer project

FYI:  Today is the first day of summer.  My summer project is to data
mine a national E-RATE database to identify which public libraries have
(or don't have) Library Technology Plans.  Sound like fun?  Why would I
torture myself so?  Here is why:
ALL public libraries are eligible for the federal E-Rate funds from the
Schools and Library Division of the Universal Services Fund.  See
http://usac.org/sl
There are 4 categories of services that libraries can apply for:
1- Telecommunications
*       1.1  Telecom basic services - local, long distance, wireless
*       1.2 Telecom DATA services (requires a Library Technology Plan)
2- Internet Access (requires a Library Technology Plan and CIPA
certification)
3- Internal Connections like servers and such (requires a Library
Technology Plan and CIPA certification)
4- Basic Maintenance on #3 (requires a Library Technology Plan and CIPA
certification)

Too many libraries seek ONLY Telecom basic services, even though they'd
benefit significantly more from discounts off their high speed broadband
service.  All they need to do is a simple technology plan.  The
California State Library website has a template for a basic technology
inventory and technology plan at
http://www.library.ca.gov/services/libraries/erate.html (click on FORMS)
-- see how simple it is!  Libraries who seek DATA and other services
often ask their city or county IT department to work with them on the
inventory and tech plans, and to be a backup contact on the E-RATE
application (Form 470).  To me, that is an ideal collaboration.

In addition to identifying which libraries could benefit by developing a
simple technology plan, I'll also see which libraries have not recently
applied for E-RATE money.  This is E-RATE YEAR 12 -- a good year to get
back in the game!  Summer is a good time to develop, review, update, and
polish library technology plans.  Early Fall is a good time to attend an
E-RATE workshop/webinar and then apply for E-RATE.  It is a seasonal
application process.  Last year, I created a timeline/calendar and
posted it next to my office monitor.  If you want a copy, see
http://www.att.com/Common/files/pdf/e-rate-timeline-calendar.pdf

I'm looking forward to ALA and definitely have the Saturday afternoon
"E-RATE Task Force Forum" meeting on my dance card.  I'm well-versed in
the E-RATE application process, but always interested in library-related
issues and network applications.

Best wishes.

**********************
Jackie Siminitus, MLS
AT&T Library Advocate
795 Folsom Street, Room 400, San Francisco, CA 94107
415-644-7112 : jacquelyn.siminitus at att.com
AT&T Knowledge Network Explorer, www.kn.att.com
Blue Web'n Library, www.kn.att.com/wired/bluewebn/
http://2CoolTools.blogspot.com; http://Advocate4Libraries.blogspot.com

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