Tribal Libraries Pilot Program
To help Tribal libraries that are new to the E-Rate program, the Tribal Libraries Pilot Program will provide one-on-one assistance in all aspects of preparing, applying, and receiving E-Rate support during the upcoming funding year. This includes sharing information about program rules and requirements, providing training on how to use the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC), and walking through the competitive bidding and application processes. The pilot will also support participants during the invoicing and other post-commitment processes, including the service confirmation and Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) certification or service substitution requests.
The Tribal Libraries Pilot Program seeks to gain an understanding of the applicant experience to increase participation and streamline the E-Rate program requirements, particularly for Tribal applicants. The goal of this program is to learn what training and support is most useful to new Tribal library applicants to enhance E-Rate training materials and training programs and ways to simplify the program.
Eligibility
The E-Rate Tribal Libraries Pilot Program is open to Tribal libraries that are new to the E-Rate program or had challenges applying to the E-Rate program in the past and were unsuccessful. Tribal libraries must be able to demonstrate that they have three basic characteristics of a library, including:
- Regularly scheduled hours;
- Staff; and
- Materials for library users.
Tribal government entities can designate a library as a Tribal library (for example, through a Tribal Resolution). Tribal libraries may also work with the state library administrative agency where they are located. Tribal college libraries are ineligible for E-Rate support.
Tribal Libraries Pilot Program Participants
USAC and the FCC hosted an information session to share more details about the Tribal Libraries Pilot Program on Monday, November 7. Interested parties who were unable to attend the session can review the slides.
The application window for the E-Rate Tribal Libraries Pilot Program has closed and USAC has contacted program participants.
Participants will be expected to provide feedback about the E-Rate application and post-commitment processes, so that we can continue to simplify and enhance the training and program experience for Tribal library applicants.
E-Rate Tribal Libraries Pilot Program March Activities
In March, the USAC Tribal Library Advocates (TLAs) will work with pilot participants to complete participants’ E-Rate applications. The E-Rate 2023 Filing Window opened on January 18, 2023 at noon ET and close March 28, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
If you have questions about the Tribal Libraries Pilot Program or the E-Rate program, please contact USAC at TribalTraining@usac.org.