Abstract:
The American Library Association (ALA), which represents the nation’s 123,000 libraries of all types, commends the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for moving forward with a Tribal library Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to address the long-standing barriers to Tribal library participation in the E-rate program. ALA acknowledges the FCC and Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)’s commitment to digital equity for Tribal libraries and commends the Tribal Library Pilot Program and the explicit outreach targeting Tribal libraries. The Tribal Library Order that updates the definition of library and clarifies that Tribal libraries are eligible for E-rate are critical steps to providing inclusive funding opportunities. When Tribal libraries are eligible for E-rate funding, comprehensive and efficient investments in broadband are possible.
