ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline Volume 9, Number 5 February 4, 2000 In this issue: [1] $4.72 Billion Requested for E-rate in Year Three [2] Census 2000: How You Can Help Make It a Success [1] $4.72 Billion Requested for E-rate in Year Three Note: The following is a February 2 E-rate newsflash from the Schools and Libraries Division/USAC. For more information see http://www.sl.universalservice.org/. The Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) reported to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that $4.72 billion in requested funding has been estimated for schools and libraries seeking E- rate discounts for Year Three. The estimated demand represents more than the previous two years combined. Of the 36,000 applications filed within the application filing window, which closed January 19, 2000, more than 28,000, or nearly 80 percent, were submitted electronically using USAC's SLD web site. Nearly 60 percent of the requests are associated with the neediest schools and libraries: those qualifying for program discounts of 80 to 90 percent. These schools and libraries represent populations where 50 percent or more of students are eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program. Demand in Year Three was calculated from a review of the 36,000 applications, versus the method in previous years that involved a statistical representation based upon a sample of the total applications. In Year One of the Schools and Libraries program, more than 30,000 applications were filed for E-rate discounts requesting approximately $2.04 billion for 1998 (This equates to $2.302 billion for the extended program period of 18 months). In year two, with more than 32,000 applications, demand was approximated at $2.4 billion. The FCC set the funding cap to the full $2.25 billion in Year Two. [2] Census 2000: How You Can Help Make It a Success Note: The following is an excerpted message from the U.S. Census Bureau (http://www.census.gov/dmd/www/dropin5.htm). For more information, see http://www.census.gov. Census 2000, the largest peace-time mobilization in U.S. history, is about to begin. About 860,000 workers will be needed to reach an anticipated 275 million people across the United States. You are needed to make it a success. Census 2000 will be the information cornerstone for the next century. Billions of dollars of federal, state and local funds will be spent on thousands of projects across our nation. How and where that money is spent depends on the census numbers. For example, decisions about education, health care, job training and business are based on information about children, the elderly, the unemployed or underemployed. Moreover, the development of public transportation systems and traffic control are based on where people work and live. Census 2000 is your chance to make sure that the new century begins with an accurate and complete picture of your community. Your contacts, your knowledge, your concern about the community are the keys to an accurate census. Start by spreading the word about the importance of the census. Set the record straight by helping to dispel myths about the confidentiality and uses of the census. Reassure others about census confidentiality and that the information collected in the census is protected by law. Emphasize why the information collected in the census is important to your community. Write articles, speak before co-workers, post Census 2000 flyers in strategic locations or include them in mailings or newsletters. Remember that you and your organization's support can lead to a more accurate count in your community. Think of other new and exciting ways to get the word out about Census 2000, the opportunities are limitless. Thank you for your help -- from promoting the census to providing space or volunteers -- whatever you can do to make the Census 2000 picture complete. For further information about how you can help your community by making Census 2000 the best census ever, contact one of our regional centers: Atlanta (404) 331-0573; Boston (617) 424-4977; Charlotte (704) 344-6621; Chicago (312) 353-9697; Dallas (214) 655-3060; (303) 231-5029; Detroit (248) 967-9524; Kansas City (816) 801-2020; Los Angeles (818) 904-6522; New York City (212) 620-7702/3; Philadelphia (215) 597-8313; and Seattle (206) 553- 5882. ****** ALAWON (ISSN 1069-7799) is a free, irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office. All materials subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. 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