Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) and our many partners are working diligently to expand broadband and computing capacity in Idaho's least connected libraries through our “online @ your library” Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The BTOP project will also expand LiLI online resources statewide for K-12 students and job seekers.  

Training is a key component in the “online @ your library project” and, since the November 2010 project launch, library staff members have completed training for two resources that have been made available through partnerships or grant funding: Apangea Math and LearningExpress Library. Candidate libraries have also completed E-Rate training for Forms 470 and 471 and are positioned to file by the March 24 deadline.

 Proposals from potential broadband service providers are being evaluated, along with sustainability for each candidate library. Some BTOP candidate libraries found great bargains as a result of the Request for Proposals (RFP) and others are at least looking at affordable broadband services, particularly after E-Rate support. Candidate libraries are in the process of submitting Broadband Decision Forms, after which they will receive Memorandum of Understanding packets with forms and information on computers, server/firewall, and data that needs to be collected for grant reports. The ordering of computers and laptops has not yet begun.

One of our BTOP partners, Idaho Public Television, has already begun television spots promoting the new resources available at http://lili.org/, such as LearningExpress Library.

 LearningExpress Library has been a hit since the statewide subscription became available in November 2010. At libraries throughout the state, job-seekers and students are using the LearningExpress Library’s interactive skill-building courses in reading, writing, and math as well as more than 50 multimedia computer-training tutorials. And many resources are available in Spanish. LearningExpress Library also has study guides for academic tests such as the GED, SAT, ACT, GMAT, and CLEP as well as a wide array of career certification preparation and practice exams in fields such as education and health care. Statewide online resources coming in summer 2011 include “Scout” (a version of Teachers’ Domain customized for Idaho students) and Internet2 resources for libraries via Idaho Regional Optical Network (IRON). They will be available through the LiLI portal.

Stay tuned.