Idaho Commission for Libraries
Address: 325 W State St., Boise, ID 83702Phone: (208) 334-2150 | In-State Toll Free: (800) 458-3271
Printed from the Idaho Commission for Libraries website: http://libraries.idaho.gov
online @ your library
The Commission's "online @ your library" Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant has expanded broadband and computing capacity from an average of 1.5 Mbps to an average of 11 Mbps Internet connectivity in Idaho's least connected public libraries and increased the online resources available statewide at lili.org for Idahoans, including K-12 students and job seekers.
New online resources available to all Idahoans through LiLI.org include a LearningExpress Library subscription, Scout Video Collections (with immediate access for Idaho teachers and students to more than 14,000 research-based instructional resources and with online access to full-length video productions by Idaho Public Television), Media online @ your library, and Resources for Idaho Citizens page.
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 August 2013
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 covered
- Cost of expanding broadband connectivity in 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 resources available to all Idahoans through LiLI.org: including a LearningExpress Library subscription, Scout Video Collections (with immediate access for Idaho teachers and students to more than 14,000 research-based instructional resources and with online access to full-length video productions by Idaho Public Television), Media online @ your library, and Resources for Idaho Citizens page)
- Direct cost of delivering training to public library staff on E-Rate, public computer center maintenance, and online services
- Grant project management
BTOP fact sheets and flyers:
- BTOP Update: Fall 2012
- BTOP Update: Spring 2012
- 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 connectivity libraries
Expectations for connectivity libraries:
- expand their Internet connectivity bandwidth and the number of computers available to the public.
- partner with regional Adult Basic Education (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 (2010-2011)
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
Library Internet Policy Information