The 2024-25 E-Rate funding year begins July 1, and for many Texas public libraries, this program can have a big impact on their annual budgets. The FCC’s E-Rate program makes telecommunications and information services more affordable for schools and public libraries, offering up to 90% discounts on Internet costs.
If you’re an accredited Texas public library, you can take part in Libraries Connecting Texas (LCT)! At no cost to the library, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has hired experts from the nationally leading consulting firm, E-rate Central, to provide application coaching and help ensure forms are filled out correctly and deadlines are met. Work is already underway to file for discounts in the 2025-2026 funding year. Email the Library Digital Opportunity team at LDO@tsl.texas.gov to get started.
TSLAC’s LCT program secured $1.28 million of E-rate funding last year for more than 150 Texas public libraries. Participants’ internet speeds have increased a whopping 1365% since the program began. This is a remarkable achievement in helping close the digital divide.
Last March, the Maud Public Library Director, Savannah Monroe, reached out to TSLAC to share her experience with the E-Rate application process.
“Without the help of our E-rate Central consultant, provided through TSLAC, our library would have missed out on this amazing opportunity. The application process is intricate and tedious, which makes it hard to navigate for the average person. Our small library only has one staff member, me. With help from an E-rate Central consultant, we are getting approved for the E-rate discount which allows us to afford a better connection. I am excited to announce that we are in the beginning stages of a special construction project to add a dedicated fiber internet line to the library! Let me be clear, that without the services and support of TSLAC, our small, rural library could not be successful in our overarching, community improvement endeavors.”
While that was welcome news to hear, an application does not necessarily guarantee participation in the program. That’s why it was so exciting to get this follow-up from Savannah last week.
“We have successfully applied for E-rate funding and have been approved! The program allowed us to upgrade the library to fiber optic internet service, set to be operational by July 1st. We plan to apply for Category 2 funding through the E-rate program in the fall to upgrade crucial hardware components. It is a great program, and I would not be able to navigate the process on my own.”
If you want more information about E-rate, visit the USAC website or email the Library Digital Opportunity team at LDO@tsl.texas.gov.
Savannah Monroe and Maud Public Library are featured in a new video series from TSLAC that just premiered on YouTube. You can check out the Digital Literacy Spotlight and hear more about the good work Savannah is doing in the community.
