E-Rate
Arizona State Library, Archives & Records COVID-19 Response – Temporarily suspending all in-person services, while maintaining our statutory responsibilities
- Our number one goal is to keep the public and our employees safe
- The situation related to COVID-19 is rapidly developing, as is the response from this office and the state. Please check back regularly for updates
- We are committed to providing continuity of services while reducing exposure risks
- In-person trainings for ALL divisions are on hold until further notice. Divisions will hold trainings by webinar as needed.
- Department staff will attend community meetings virtually or by phone, when available.
- Services impacted:
- In-person Patent and Trademark Resource Center consultations
- The Arizona Capitol Museum is closed until further notice.
- In-person retrieval and immediate checkout of materials to patrons of Arizona Talking Book Library
- Walk-in reference service for Archives & the Research Library
- Ask a Question - online reference service
- Digital Arizona Library, including statewide electronic resources
- Records retention schedules assistance
- Arizona Talking Book Library requests and link to downloads
- Tools and resources for library staff
- Online continuing education for library staff
- Consulting for library staff on grants, electronic resources, digital inclusion efforts, Public Library Survey and all library services
- Communications channel for County Librarians
- E-rate Services offered online and by phone
- Arizona Capitol Museum Giftshop orders can still be placed online
- Arizona Capitol Museum collections can be viewed online through the Arizona Memory Project and Google Cultural Institute
- Arizona Capitol Museum staff can respond to email and phone call inquiries.
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E-rate Application Process
E-Rate is the single largest technology related funding available to Libraries and Schools focusing on the most urgent need—closing the Wi-Fi gap and level the playing field for education and learning. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has made available $3.9 Billion to the E-Rate Program on an annual recurring basis. Reimbursements are based on the National School Lunch Program percentage and can be as high as 90 percent. E-Rate is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), a not-for-profit administrator of the Universal Service Fund through the Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program with guidance from the FCC. FCC took major steps to modernize and streamline the E-rate program Click here to read more about E-rate Modernization.
Arizona State Library together with Arizona Department of Education is working with libraries and schools to make the most of the E-Rate dollars available to them. In addition to discounts that they are already eligible for over the next two years, FCC has provided up to 10% additional funding for Broadband buildout, provided it is matched by State funds. Arizona State Library and Arizona Dept. of Education worked with Corporation Commission to secure $8 Million for the next two years for Broadband build out to rural schools and libraries.If you wish to upgrade your bandwidth, please contact your State E-rate Administrator (select Mala from the category dropdown) for the procedures.
Arizona Public Library Wi-Fi availability
- Click here to check the locations where WiFi is available.
COVID-19 Related E-rate Federal Relaxations / Activities
Arizona State Broadband STRATEGIC PLAN
Arizona State Broadband Initiative
Arizona Broadband Initiative – State Matching Funds
Arizona State Library together with Arizona Department of Education is working with libraries and schools to make the most of the E-Rate dollars available to them. In addition to discounts that they are already eligible for over the next two years, FCC has provided up to 10% additional funding for Broadband buildout, provided it is matched by State funds.
Impact of E-rate in Arizona
Since the program began in 1998, Arizona libraries have received more than $24 Million in E-rate reimbursements. Because of the reimbursements Libraries across Arizona have been able to upgrade their bandwidth, pay the recurring cost of internet access as well as upgrade wiring and internal connections. The increased bandwidth has enabled them to provide all kinds of programs, including job searching, GED testing, college prep, and code clubs. The extra bandwidth can also make it easier for patrons to access the internet with their own devices in the library.
Getting Started
Trainings and Presentations
Arizona State Master Contracts
- Category One up to 2019-20 - State Filed Form 470 and State Master Contracts
- Category One - NEW State Master Contracts 2020-2023
- Category Two - Mohave Educational Services Cooperative
Category One
While filing Form 470 please choose the correct dropdown table for Category 1 from this table.
Our State Master Contracts for Internet (Category 1) was valid only till June 30 2020. If you have used the State Master Contract that expired June 30, 2020 and followed the State Replacement Contract methodology, here are more guidelines from USAC.
Contact your state E-rate Administrator if you have questions or a PIA inquiry.
Category Two
Category Two consists of Internal Connections, Managed Internal Broadband Services, and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections. The highest discount level for Category Two services will be 85 percent. Federal Communications Commission (FCC ) piloted some changes for the period 2014- 2019. On December 3, the FCC released the new order making permanent some of the changes and modifying others based on stakeholders’ comments. This was for 2021 onwards. 2020 is an interim year with its own budget (see below).
For FY 2020 (a transition year) - 2020 is an interim year will be a bridge year with its own rules and the major changes will be put into effect for 2021.
- Extends the five-year Category 2 budget trial for FY 2015-2019 to six years by adding 20% to all total budgets for FY 2020. All “trial” budgets will expire at the end of FY 2020 (i.e., no carryover into FY 2021).
Schools: $163.02 + 20% = $195.63 per student
Rural libraries: $2.49 + 20% = $3.00 per square-foot
Urban libraries: $5.43 + 20% = $6.52 per square-foot
Minimum: $9,998.69 + 20% = $11,998.43 per entity
Category 2 Contracts for AZ: E-rate eligible Master Contracts are available through Mohave Educational Consortium Mohave Educational Services Cooperative Inc. The contracts to look for are with Camnet (18K-ELITE-1109), Logicalis (19B-ELOG1-0307), Nvision (19B-ENVIS-0307) and Vector USA (19B-EVECT-0307). FCC Form 470 #190015932; contract valid until 9-7- 2023. Please open links with Internet Explorer.
Attached is the Mohave Member Handbook. Pages 14-15 discusses E-Rate procurement process.
Major Changes for 2021: A number of ALA’s recommendations were adopted in the FCC final order, which includes changes intended to encourage more libraries to apply for their share of the $4.15 billion program. Changes that will take effect in the 2021 funding year include:
- The funding floor will increase from the initial $9,200 to $25,000, which should make a real difference for small libraries deciding whether to take on the application process.
- There will be a single square-foot formula of $4.50 for all libraries urban or rural—a significant improvement for small libraries, but short of the current $5.32 for larger libraries.
- The five-year budget cycle will be adjusted for inflation at the start of each five-year period rather than every year.
- The budget will be made at the library system (and school district) level instead of at the individual library branch which allows the County Librarian more flexibility in spending on the main library and branches.
Denying funding for network equipment which poses a threat to national security FCC passed a new order prohibiting USAC from funding for network equipment which poses a threat to national security. Initially, both Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation are designated as being covered under the prohibition. (See Order paragraph 1). The Rulemaking is looking at funding the replacement of equipment already in place.