Library Groups Welcome Draft FCC Tribal Library E-rate NPRM

Library groups welcomed a draft FCC NPRM on barriers for tribal libraries seeking to participate in the E-rate program. Commissioners will consider the item during their meeting Thursday, after amending the definition of library last year to clarify tribal libraries' eligibility (see 2301260050).

If adopted, the item would seek comment on further expanding tribal libraries' eligibility by including tribal college libraries. The draft proposes that such libraries would be eligible for E-rate support if they serve the public. The draft notes at least 19 of the 32 tribal college libraries accredited by the Department of Education received grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to provide services to their communities. "Many of these Tribal college libraries may be the only library in the community and take on the public library role in addition to being academic libraries," the draft item said.

Some "key changes" proposed in the draft result from feedback from Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums members, emailed ATALM CEO Susan Feller. "We appreciate that the FCC is listening to tribal librarians and acting on recommendations received," Feller said.

Other proposed changes include simplifying the application process and allowing certain exemptions to the competitive bidding rules. The item would seek comment on whether to establish an extended or separate filing window for tribal libraries, noting their purchases are "often included with the tribal government’s procurements." The draft includes a question sought by ATALM and the American Library Association on adding a tribal community representative to the Universal Service Administrative Co. board. The commission would also seek comment on whether to increase the discount rate for category two services from 85% to 90% and the five-year funding floor to $25,000.

The "overly complicated application process" prevented many tribal libraries from participating in the program, Feller said. ATALM worked with five tribal libraries to establish model technology labs and the majority decided not to apply because they found the process to be "frustrating and overly complex," she said: "ATALM applauds the efforts of the FCC to make it easier for tribal libraries and schools to participate in the E-rate program." The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition also backs the item, Executive Director John Windhausen told us.

“In the year since the FCC voted unanimously to clarify that tribal libraries are fully eligible for the E-rate program, the commission has seriously engaged with ALA, the library community, tribal nations, and other key stakeholders to increase awareness of this opportunity" and encourage participation, said ALA President Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada (see 2201270030).

The FCC's vote clarifying tribal libraries' eligibility "was only the first step to encourage program participation," Pelayo-Lozada said: "ALA welcomes the new NPRM, its inclusion of many of the ideas proposed by library E-rate advocates, and the opportunity to provide additional input to the FCC on how the program can continue to be improved to expand broadband access for the libraries and communities that need it most.”