Public Libraries: E-rate Kick-Off Party on October 10, Now with Hotspots and Cybersecurity

E-rate is a federal discount program available to accredited public libraries that pays up to 90% of broadband costs, but we at TSLAC know the process to complete an application like this can be daunting. TSLAC is continuing its support of libraries this year in applying for E-Rate. The project, called Libraries Connecting Texas (LCT), provides FREE, one-on-one support from a professional consulting firm, E-Rate Central, to guide participating libraries successfully through the 2025 E-Rate Funding Year. 

This year is special: Not only will our free consultants help with ALL categories of E-rate such as equipment and cabling, public libraries can now explore the option of getting additional funding support as part of two brand new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiatives:

  • Learn Without Limits Initiative
    • Wi-Fi hotspot devices and services are now eligible for the E-rate program. When the application window opens for regular E-rate Internet services in January, funding will be available to support connectivity for patrons outside the library building.
  • Cybersecurity Pilot Program *
    • The application window for the FCC’s Cybersecurity Pilot Program opened on September 17th.

* Note: The initial form to fill out in the Cybersecurity Pilot Program serves as an initial screening mechanism for participation in the Pilot.  We expect only a subset of the applicants submitting this first form to be selected by the FCC to participate in the Pilot itself. Those selected will then be able to file the remaining forms.

If you’re new and interested in participating this year—or are already part of LCT and want to hear about the new services, please join us for an informational webinar on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. We’re kicking off the new E-rate Year!

 Click here to sign up for the webinar.

Sticker that reads "We offer highspeed internet made possible by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Check out these testimonial videos from two grateful LCT librarians:

Join us for the kick-off webinar and contact TSLAC’s Library Digital Opportunity (LDO) Team at LDO@tsl.texas.gov if you would like to participate in our free consulting program this year.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.