New and updated content tagged "E-Rate"

E-Rate Statistics

jan.wall — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:42:31 -0600

Internet Safety Policy

jan.wall — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:37:46 -0600

NCIPA & CIPA Compliance

E-rate Central CIPA Compliance Checklist

Children's Internet Protection Act - SLD

Children's Internet Protection Act, CIPA: A Brief FAQ

Internet Safety Policy

All libraries must follow NCIPA (the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act) guidelines. These guidelines specifically require that all libraries have an Internet Safety Policy that has been reviewed in a public meeting. You can use your current Internet safety policy if it includes the following points. The policy is your library's opportunity to define computer use policies and discuss them with your community.

An Internet Safety Policy must address:

Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and the Web;
The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;
Unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unlawful activities by minors online;
Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and
Measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.

This policy must be adopted after holding at least one public hearing or meeting. It is suggested that your board take action on this and that it not be only a procedure/administrative rule. In regards to the public meeting, the law states that libraries need to “provide reasonable public notice and hold at least one public hearing or meeting to address the proposed Internet safety policy."

The hearing/meeting can be part of an open regular board meeting which allows for public comment. Completely document the meeting by keeping the public notice and the minutes which reflect the discussion and action taken by the board.

Idaho FSCS Numbers

jan.wall — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:45:48 -0600

When You Apply, You'll Need...

jan.wall — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:26:03 -0600

Technology Plans and Technology Plan Approval Process

FSCS Codes

Starting in E-rate Year 2005-2006, Form 471 requests that public libraries enter their "FSCS Code." On Form 471 (Description of Services Ordered and Certification), Item 9a requests "Entity Number AND NCES Code (for schools) or FSCS Code (for Libraries)." The number being requested is in the form ID0001-002, where the first two letters are the state abbreviation, the first four digits refer to the administrative entity, and the last three digits identify the outlet. There is a unique identifier for each public library outlet: centrals, branches, bookmobiles, and books-by-mail only.

Table of Idaho Libraries and their FSCS Numbers

This chart is in alphabetical order by administrative outlet. Please call or e-mail Jan Wall (866-212-0646) with any questions.

FCC Registration Numbers

The Fifth Report and Order (FCC 04-190, released August 13, 2004) states that all participants in the E-Rate program must obtain an FCC Registration Number (FCC RN). Participants are required to obtain at least one FCC RN for each Taxpayer Identification Number by November 1, 2004, pursuant to Public Notice DA 04-2994 (released September 16, 2004) and Public Notice FCC 04-230 (released September 28, 2004).

FCC RNs are required for entities that do business with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Therefore, if your entity already has an FCC license (for example, for ITFS or a radio station), you may already have an FCC RN. If you already have an FCC RN, you do not need to get a new one simply for the purposes of E-rate.

Further details are available here.

You can apply online for an FCC RN from the FCC web site. Follow the link to the “FCC Registration Number Commission Registration System (CORES)” on the left hand side of the screen.

Discount Calculations

CIPA Compliance

jan.wall — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:19:07 -0600

Once your Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policies are in place, your library must decide if it wishes to filter and to what extent. The CIPA portion of the law does not require libraries to filter. Compliance is only necessary to participate in certain portions of the E-rate program and some LSTA funded initiatives. Libraries deciding to forego funds from these programs do not need to filter.

What factors should be considered when evaluating CIPA compliance?

Cost of staff training
Local community input
E-rate or LSTA funding that might be affected
Compatibility with current software or vendors
Does the product meet local and federal filtering requirements?
Cost of the filtering solution and any recurring fees
Features and customizable options available with the filtering product
Cost of staff time to implement/maintain/upgrade/monitor the solution

What is required to be CIPA compliant?

All computers with Internet access, including staff PCs, must operate with blocking or filtering technology that

prevents access to visual depictions that are obscene; and
prevents access to child pornography;
For minors under the age of 17,
visual depictions that are harmful to minors must also be blocked.
The terms "obscenity", "harmful to minors" and "child pornography" are defined in the United States Code and extracted in the text of the CIPA decision. The interpretation and implementation of these laws will vary locally.

In the recent Supreme Court decision, the ability to disable filters at the request of an adult was emphasized.

Documentation necessary for CIPA compliance:

An approved technology plan
Certification on E-Rate form 486 (individual) or form 479 and letter of agency (consortia)
LSTA Internet Safety Certification (for LSTA projects only)
Acceptable Use Policy/Internet Safety Policy

E-Rate Certification and Signatures Form

jan.wall — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:12:54 -0600

Technology Plan Approval Process

jan.wall — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:05:15 -0600

If a technology plan is required, it must be prepared prior to submitting Form 470 to SLD. It must be approved before the beginning of service (usually July 1st) or the submission of Form 486, whichever is earliest.
Obtain the proper signatures on the “Certification and Signatures” form.
Append a copy of your current budget to the plan.
Submit the technology plan, whether as an addendum to a long-range plan or integrated into a long-range plan, with the signed “Certification and Signatures” form to your ISL Field Consultant:
- SW Idaho, Boise area: Erin McCusker, Idaho Commission for Libraries, 325 West State Street, Boise ID 83702
- E Idaho: Frank Nelson, Idaho Commission for Libraries Eastern Field Office, 1820 E. 17th St., Suite 130 Idaho Falls ID 83404
- N Idaho: Jan Wall, Idaho Commission for Libraries Northern Field Office, 1420 South Blaine, Ste. B., Moscow ID 83843
Your Field Consultant will send an approval to you, or will work with you for a successful plan. The approval from your Field Consultant will also be filed at Idaho Commission for Libraries in Boise
Retain the approval for your records. All e-rate documentation should be retained for 5 years. An approved technology plan will be part of an FCC/USAC audit, if you are chosen.

See more information on audits.

Technology Plan Checklist

jan.wall — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:55:35 -0600

Technology Plan Checklist

Develop a Technology Plan - SLD

If a Technology Plan is required, it must be approved by ICFL. Please see Technology Plan Approval Process.

Successful technology plans align the overall education or library service improvement objectives with the following five criteria. To qualify as an approved Technology Plan for a Universal Service Program discount, the plan must meet these criteria. It is critical that technology planning not be viewed or treated as a separate exercise dealing primarily with hardware and telecommunications infrastructure. There must be connections between the proposed physical infrastructure of the information technology and the plan for professional development, curriculum reform, and library service improvements.

____ The plan establishes clear goals and a realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology to improve education or library services.

____ The plan has a professional development strategy to ensure that staff know how to use the new technologies to improve education or library services.

____ The plan includes an assessment of the telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services that will be needed to improve education or library services.

____ The plan provides for a sufficient budget to acquire and maintain the hardware, software, professional development, and other services that will be needed to implement the strategy for improved education or library services.

____ The plan includes an evaluation process that enables the school or library to monitor progress toward the specified goals and make mid-course corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as they arise.

The Idaho Commission for Libraries staff use this exact checklist to review technology plans. See the Schools and Libraries website and Core Elements of a Technology Plan for further information on developing technology plans.

Core Elements of a Technology Plan

jan.wall — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:49:47 -0600

1. Clear Goals/Realistic Strategy

The tech plan must establish clear goals and a realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology to improve education or library services.

Specific goals for using technology should identify:

Improvement that should occur from the use of technology by students, teachers, parents, and/or library patrons
Achievements and/or successes that can be attained using technology
Increased staff and student/library patron competency with using technology
Additional Internet and/or telecommunication options for classrooms or public areas of a library
Accessibility to technology

Realistic strategies should identify:

How the school or library will develop and integrate the technology (e.g., how many computers will have Internet access)
Standards required for implementation of the technology
Technology needed for the future to maintain or enhance the current instructional or library environment

2. Professional Development

The tech plan must have a professional development strategy to ensure that staff know how to use these new technologies to improve education or library services.

Describe and list the professional development activities required of staff to train properly on the technology in the school or library

Training is more than just how to turn on the computer
Identify person or group in charge of planning and coordinating staff training
Verify current levels of training

Details of training

Methods of training to be used (classroom, seminars, Train-the-Trainer, etc.)
How training supports the curriculum or library usage goals
Documentation of training (sign-in sheets, computer lab logs, lists of in-service activities, etc.)

3. Needs Assessment

The tech plan must include an assessment of the telecommunication services, hardware, software, and/or other services that will be needed to improve education or library services.

Provide a status of the existing technology, such as:

Telephone system
Building Infrastructure (e.g., electrical capacity, cooling system)
Computer hardware and software
Internet access
Staff training

Based on the current technology, describe new technology needs, such as:

Adding a firewall or replacing servers
Adding upgrades to phone system
Adding network switches
Adding cable drops
Installing a new network
Classroom/lab materials

Describe maintenance needed for new and existing equipment

How often will the technology be serviced? (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, etc.)
What are the characteristics and capabilities of the equipment? (e.g., age, model, year, memory, etc.)

4. Budget

The tech plan must show how the school or library will:

Pay the non-discount share of the cost
Acquire and support the necessary resources (computers, training, electricity, software, etc.) needed to make effective use of the discounted services.

Include specifics about budgeted items and the sources of funding. For example:

Salaries (general school fund)
Telephones (E-rate funding and general school fund)
Desktop software (state funds)

Budgets can be projections

Budgets should be based on reasonable expectations of receiving funding and incurring expenses

5. Evaluation

The tech plan must include an evaluation process that enables the school or library to monitor progress toward specified goals and make mid-course corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as they arise.

Evaluation process should describe:

How frequently the tech plan will be evaluated
The person(s) responsible for updating the plan
How progress toward the goals and objectives will be measured or monitored
If and how goals were met
Any unexpected outcomes
Any new needs that emerged
Any goals that are no longer relevant

CIPA and Filtering

jan.wall — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:08:51 -0600

Internet Safety Policies - Idaho Commission for Libraries
Information on CIPA Compliance and Internet Safety Policies.

CIPA Compliance - Idaho Commission for Libraries
Discusses CIPA Compliance and factors to consider.

WebJunction's Focus on Filtering
A page centering on discussion, reports and articles on CIPA and filtering software. (WebJunction.org)

ALA's CIPA Web Site
Large amounts of information on the Children's Internet Protection Act.
(American Library Association)

E-Rate Central – Filtering Products
Comprehensive list of filtering products of all kinds, with a link to the homepage of each filter. (State E-Rate Coordinators Alliance – SECA)

Infopeople: Library Filtering Introduction
Numerous links to reliable online CIPA resources, including a comparison chart of 17 different filtering products. (State Library of California)

CIPA and Your Library, 2003 – Part I – The Law
Good overview of CIPA, with valuable “Additional Resources” listed at the end. (Montana State Library)

CIPA and Your Library, 2003 – Part II – Filtering
Issues to consider in deciding whether to filter and what kind of filter to use, in evaluating filters, and in using your filter to manage Internet use. (Montana State Library)

FAQ on E-rate Compliance with CIPA and NCIPA
The definitive web site on current CIPA information, in Q and A format. (Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction, Public Library Development)

Internet Filters and Public Libraries
An excellent overview for those not intimately familiar with the subject. (First Amendment Center)