The Commission's "online @ your library" Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant is expanding broadband and computing capacity in Idaho's least connected libraries and expanding LiLI online resources statewide for K-12 students and job seekers.

BTOP Budget
Federal funds:    $1,907,531
Matching funds:    942,815*
Total budget:    $2,850,346
*Over 20% project match provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, augmented with in-kind and resource contributions from ICfL and key partners, including the Idaho Department of Labor, Idaho Public Television, and Idaho Professional-Technical Education.

BTOP Award Period  
 August 2010 to July 2012

Goals

• Provide free broadband access to Internet-based resources in Idaho's public libraries.
• Provide informal education resources for K-12 students.
• Address needs of the under-employed.

Strategies

• Extend broadband connectivity.
• Provide more public access computers.
• Expand online library resources.
• Provide library-based workshops pivoting around online resources.
• Publicize online library resources and free public access computing at the library.
• Ensure sustainability.

What the BTOP grant covers

• Cost of expanding broadband connectivity in at least 55 public libraries
• Cost of connectivity and bandwidth during the two-year grant period for these libraries
• Cost of new computers for public access computing in these public libraries
• New online resource subscriptions available to all Idahoans through LiLI.org: LearningExpress Library, Scout (a version of Teachers' Domain customized for Idaho students), and Internet2 resources for libraries via Idaho Regional Optical Network (IRON)
• Direct cost of delivering training to public library staff on E-Rate, public computer center maintenance, and online services
• Grant project management

The connectivity libraries

Eligibility of the connectivity libraries is based on connectivity speed (libraries with 4 Mbps or less) and demographic criteria (libraries that serve BTOP-defined "vulnerable populations"). 

Expectations for participating libraries

Participating libraries will:

• expand their Internet connectivity bandwidth and the number of computers available to the public.
• partner with regional ABE Centers and the Idaho Department of Labor to introduce adults to online resources. 
• promote and encourage digital literacy.
• consider E-Rate funding as a strategy for sustaining their public computing centers.

Timeline and next steps

Download a project timeline and next steps

Contact information for libraries and partners

• Contact information and help numbers
• Project coordination with partners at Basecamp (Individual userid and log-in)
• Library-specific resources at WebJunction
• Connectivity and Computer RFP information for vendors

For more details, see:

BTOP Overview: Summer 2011
BTOP Overview: March 2011
Map of libraries participating in BTOP project
List of libraries participating in BTOP project
Executive Summary
Purpose
What it looks like
BTOP Public Service Announcements

The Commission's Public Computing Center BTOP project,  online @ your library, was among the grants awarded by the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on August 18, 2010.