Spring 2001Page 10

Special Report...
E-Rate Funding Progress Report for 2000-2001

Nearly one hundred public libraries are participating in the third year of e-rate funding along with the Nebraska Library Commission and three regional library systems. Communities of all sizes across the state are continuing to seek discounts on telecommunication services, Internet connectivity, and internal connections. This year the individual funding amounts ranged from $211 at Elmwood Public Library to $42,263 at Omaha Public Library.

Although libraries are in the process of applying for fourth year funding, many libraries are still filling out the forms to facilitate the discounts and reimbursements for the past year. In addition, telecom acquisitions have provided an extra hurdle. Recent and pending mergers of local telephone exchanges (e.g., USWEST/ QWEST and Citizens Communications/GTE), make it difficult for librarians to find the information needed to complete forms. Toll-free numbers may be busy and spokespersons may not provide the appropriate information.

Some librarians are concerned about the possibility of forced filtering as a consequence of the recent passage of the Children's Internet Protection Act. They have received mailings from filtering companies that urge them to purchase their products now. One librarian considered not applying for e-rate due to the upcoming legislation. The outcome of pending legal action is unknown at this time, but the Library Commission continues to encourage libraries to participate in the application process for this coming year. (See related article on page 8.) For more information contact Pam Scott, 402-471-2694, 800-307-2665, e-mail: Pam Scott.

Library Commission Distributes State Aid

The Nebraska Library Commission annually provides direct state aid payments to eligible public libraries. This money augments local support for library services and is used by local public libraries to meet a wide variety of needs. To be eligible for this annual state aid payment, a library must be accredited, must return the Public Library Statistical Report for submission of the data in the annual Public Library Profile, and must meet local income requirements (income must be equal to or greater than that of the three previous years).

Discussion between Library Commission employees and CASTL (Conversation Among Small Town Librarians) group emphasizes the importance of E-rate in small libraries.

Last year, the Libraries for the 21^st Century initiative resulted in an increase in state funds for library services in Nebraska. An additional $150,000 in state aid funding was appropriated by the legislature for that fiscal year. The Library Commission distributed a total of $403,892 in state aid for the year 2000, and the average state aid payment per capita rose from $0.25 to $0.34.

Library directors were surveyed to learn about the impact this increased funding had on services and programs. Of the 160 libraries that received state aid, seventy-eight submitted a brief statement about the use and impact of the state funding. The following responses reflect the variety of services and programs available in Nebraska libraries:

"The state aid money shall be a major contribution towards the purchase of a new computer." (Bayard Public Library)

"This year, our state aid will be used for the purchase of software for our public computers, specifically to enhance research and learning skills." (Central City Public Library)

"This past year, (state aid) money was spent on two resources of great benefit to this community: INFO USA, an on-line database

used to locate names, addresses and phone numbers of businesses around the United States, and Magazine Article Summary, an on-line database that is particularly helpful to students and researchers…" (Columbus Public Library)

"We have updated our computers…with the latest Follett software." (Crawford Public Library)

"We have a plan to create a more "user friendly" library and thanks to this funding, we are able to get started. …There is no longer a school in our community and the only institution offering programs for children is the library. It is so important to the future of our town that the library continue to progress and update." (Greenwood Public Library)

"…the increased state aid... has allowed us to be in a position to offer our patrons better service with up-to-date technology." (Lyons Public Library)

"The state aid funds will be used for additional continuing education/training for the library director and assistant librarian, in regards to technology, computers, etc." (Stanton Public Library)

Libraries for the 21st Century is an on-going initiative, and continues to seek increased state funding for public libraries. For fiscal year 2000/2001, the process for distributing state aid was streamlined. There is no application form or paperwork to complete. On December 15 of each year, state aid award letters are mailed to all eligible libraries. The letter explains how the state aid payment is determined, and when and how payment will be made.

Jeff Gilderson-Duwe, Director of the Holdrege Public Library System, expressed satisfaction with the process, "I really like the changes made. It was such a smooth transaction." For more information contact Kit Keller, Library Data Services Coordinator, 402-471-3216, 800-307-2665, e-mail: Kit Keller.

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