Here’s a look inside what was discussed in policy group meetings this week:
Member Policy Call: On June 3, SHLB’s biweekly member policy call opened with a Spotlight presentation from Annie Norman, Delaware’s state librarian.
Annie worked closely with the Delaware Broadband Office to receive a grant through the new Digital Equity Act Capacity grant program and has nearly $2 million in federal funds earmarked for its school library project.
ACP news was also relayed:
Read the full notes from the call here. We've switched databases, so you'll need to create a new account in order to access members-only content.
Anchors for Digital Equity Call:
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22 state broadband plans called for investments in community wireless networks.
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NTIA approved every state’s Volume 1, but only 7 states have received approval for Volume II. Some states are not pushing for faster NTIA approval, as they need the extra time to make their grant awards.
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Every state submitted a request for funding from the Digital Equity Capacity Grant program.
Read the full notes from the call here. We've switched databases, so you'll need to create a new account in order to access members-only content.
E-Rate Policy Call: On June 6, we discussed a host of issues:
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The FCC voted (3 approve, 2 dissent) to approve the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, so members will be on the lookout for the final Report and Order in the coming weeks.
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SHLB suggested that the FCC establish a new “Category 3” budget to fund its proposed hotspot initiative under E-Rate.
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Members expressed their questions and concerns about a government funding bill that was passed in March 2024 rescinding $1.768 billion in “unobligated” funds from the ECF program.
Read the full notes from the call here. We've switched databases, so you'll need to create a new account in order to access members-only content.
