On October 10, the Library Digital Opportunity team (LDO) held a kick-off webinar with E-Rate Central for the upcoming 2025 E-Rate Funding Year. E-rate is a federal discount program available to accredited public libraries that pays up to 90% of broadband costs. While that is an amazing benefit, it can be challenging to complete the…
The Library Infrastructure Facility Improvement (LIFI) grant is entering the first phase of assessments. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is inviting a select number of small rural public libraries in Texas who reported slow speeds on TSLAC’s annual Texas Public Library Speed Test to receive a free IT assessment that will determine…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Newsletter The most recent edition features information about a sneak peek at the 2025 program, this year’s Summer Symposium, joining a committee, new incentives, volunteer and staff spotlights, and library success stories. Read…
Devices and internet accessibility are two crucial necessities to help close the digital divide. As difficult as it can be for libraries to pull together those resources, it’s often still not enough, as patrons often lack the digital literacy skills to use the devices or connect to the internet. TSLAC’s Library Digital Opportunity team recently…
The Federal Communications Commission recently approved a $200 million, three-year pilot program to boost cybersecurity in schools and libraries. The Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program will fund eligible participating school systems at a minimum of $15,000 to a maximum of $1.5 million. Funding amounts will be determined using a formula that estimates a cost…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. TLA Partners with HEB for June Checkstand Donation Campaign June 2024 The Texas Library Association (TLA) is excited to announce that HEB selected TLA as the beneficiary of the June checkstand donation campaign. Beginning June 5, customers at…
The State Broadband Development Office (BDO) is currently developing their application for the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (SDECGP), in which Texas was allocated $55.6 million to implement the initiatives identified in the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan (TDOP). This funding will be the first of three tranches over the course of next three years.…
Posting on behalf of the Texas Book Festival. The Texas Book Festival is excited to announce that they are now accepting 2024 Texas Library Grant Applications. Texas public libraries are invited to apply for a $2,500 grant to enhance their digital or physical collections. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 26. For more details,…