Broadband Resources
Applications
Mapping
Guidelines and Strategy
Advocacy
In comments made after signing the bill,
President Obama mentioned libraries, drawing attention to their central
role as critical 21st century learning environments. Take this
opportunity to draw attention at the state and local level. Advocate
for investment of the stimulus funding in libraries and use the ALA ARRA talking points or the ALA Stimulus Funding 2-pager - Libraries Helping America Get Back to Work, to get familiar with the key details.The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: What Academic Libraries Can do Now
Washington Office Materials
- Webinars
- Broadband Funding: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (pdf)
- Guidance for the Library Community: Preparing a Proposal for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) (pdf)
- A Note on Resources about Jobs and the Economy: Assistance for the Library Community in Their Applications to the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) (pdf)
- Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) Application Guide (pdf)
- Fiber to the Library: How Public Libraries Can Benefit from Using Fiber Optics (pdf)
- $7.2 billion for Broadband
- The Top 10 Things You Can Do Now to Get Broadband Stimulus Funding for Your Library (pdf)
- A Note on the Public Computer Center Funding Category and Library Proposals (pdf)
Government Materials
- Letter to Asst. Secretary for Communications Strickling from Sens. Kerry, Landrieu, Dorgan, Mark Udall, Warner and Gildebrand (pdf)
- Letter to NTIA and RUS from Reps. Dingell and Stupak (pdf)
- BTOP Environmental Impact Exclusions - Federal Register 10/13/09 (pdf)
- Using Title I, Part A ARRA Funds for Grants to Local Educational Agencies to Strengthen Education, Drive Reform, and Improve Results for Students (pdf)
- BroadbandUSA Workshop Presentations
- Final NOFA with Disclaimer (pdf)
- Job Seeking in US Public Libraries (pdf)
Companies interested in working with libraries
The companies listed below have expressed interest in working with libraries in an effort to secure federal funding to provide broadband. The American Library Association is not endorsing any one company. This information is provided to allow you the opportunity to contact the companies and investigate if they would serve your purposes.- National - Mushroom Networks, Inc. offers high-speed Internet access service based on combining multiple DSL lines. If your site is interested in installing this technology with financial support from the BTOP program, Mushroom Networks asks you to contact them as soon as possible at info@mushroomnetworks.com so that your site may be listed in their BTOP proposal. See their company info sheet (pdf) for more.
- National - Knight Center is a nonprofit that assists communities to identify and implement sustainable broadband strategies. View or download (right-click, save as) their info sheet (pdf) for more.
- Midwest and West - KeyOn Communications currently operates in 11 states and is interested in helping your libraries. Learn more by consulting this info sheet (pdf) or letter of interest (pdf).
- SouthEast and Mid-Atlantic States - Deltacom offers services in your area. Check their service map (pdf) to be sure. For more info, also review their partner letter (pdf) and company info sheet (pdf).
- Brian Webster Consulting offers that it can help BTOP applicants determine whether a census block has broadband for purposes of meeting the unserved/underserved test. Also, Eric Fogle, President, Broadband Consulting Group, 573-657-2140 (office), 573-808-3453 (cell) offers potentially helpful services as well.
- If you are a company interested in pairing with libraries to gain broadband access and/or stimulus funds, please fill out this form (.doc) and email it to jmcgilvray@alawash.org.