E-Rate Information and Resources

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.

Check out the resources available to public library E-rate applicants via Kan-Ed's E-Rate Support Services for Kansas Schools and Libraries page.

Keep track of your E-Rate paperwork

Download Chris Rippel's checklist-style E-Rate Folder Cover

This cover for file folders is easy to use:

• Get a file folder for each year of e-rate you want to keep.

• Make enough photocopies of the "E-Rate Folder Cover" for each of the folders.

• Staple a copy of the "E-Rate Folder Cover" on the inside or outside of the front cover of each file folder.

• As you progress through the e-rate process, put papers in the folder and fill out the cover sheet.

Writing a technology plan in support of your E-Rate application

Instructions for writing a three year technology plan

Kansas Libraries applying for E-Rate funds are required to have an approved technology plan on file with the State Library. Here you'll find advice and instructions for developing or improving your plan.

A technology plan template in .pdf format is available.

Technology Planning

Read these tips before submitting a technology plan for your library.

Template for three year technology plan

Most technology plans submitted to the Kansas State Library are approved as written. Of the few plans libraries are asked to resubmit, many are returned for one or more of the following reasons. Review these pitfalls before you submit your plan and improve your chances of timely approval!

Technology plans for E-Rate

A list of Kansas public libraries currently covered by certified technology plans.

Terminology for Numbering Funding Years

The terminology that SLD uses for funding years under the Schools and Libraries Support Mechanism was changed in 2002. Funding years are designated by the calendar year in which they begin. Under the revised terminology, Funding Year 1 became Funding Year 1998, Funding Year 2 became Funding Year 1999, and so on.

The table below gives a comparison between the old terminology and timelines and the new designations.

Developed by Linda Kay, Library Development Bureau, New Jersey State Library. Used by permission.

Original Name	Application Period	Discount Year (Designation on Forms)	SLD New Funding Year Name
Year 1		Jan 1998-June 1999	FY 1998
Year 2	Dec 1998-Mar 1999	Jul 1999-Jun 2000	FY 1999
Year 3	Nov 1999 - Jan 2000	Jul 2000-Jun 2001	FY 2000
Year 4	June 2000- Jan 2001	Jul 2001-Jun 2002	FY 2001
Year 5	June 2001- Jan 2002	Jul 2002-Jun 2003	FY 2002
none	June 2002- Jan 2003	Jul 2003-Jun 2004	FY 2003

Home Page of the Schools and Libraries Divison of the Universal Service Administrative Company

Discount Calculation

Kansas School District Statistics required for calculation of the discount rate for public libraries can be found at the Kansas State Board of Education's School Finance website - including the percentage calculation -- our thanks to the School Finance Team!

CIPA

CIPA updates from the ALA - Information about the Children's Internet Protection Act from the American Library Association

CIPA updates from the AASL - Information about the Children's Internet Protection Act from the American Association of School Libraries

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