Idaho Code 33-2741, regarding public libraries and Internet use, has received media attention recently, both in-state and nationally.

So far in Wave 1 of 2011 E-Rate funding, 57 public libraries have received funding commitments. Most schools or libraries have more than one funding request. There is a separate funding request for each vendor and, depending on the service (e.g., telecommunications or Internet), a library may have two or more funding requests for the same vendor.

It certainly seems the season for construction - both real and virtual! The SLD website will be down for an upgrade until 6 a.m. PDT or 7 a.m. MDT on Monday, September 14.

You may be aware that legislation was passed that created the Idaho Education Network*. Public libraries are included in this legislation. What this means, in a practical sense, is that the State of Idaho is committed to a build-out of bandwidth that is necessary to provide educational opportunities to schools and other entities such as public libraries.

If you have received your funding commitment letter for 2009-2010, you can file Form 486 (Receipt of Service Confirmation Form) at any time. The deadline is October 28 (or 120 days after you receive the funding commitment, whichever is later), but why wait until the last minute? It can be filed online at http://www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp.

NCIPA & CIPA Compliance

E-rate Central CIPA Compliance Checklist

Children's Internet Protection Act - SLD

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

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.

• 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.