The Idaho Commission for Libraries is offering a one-time reimbursement to Idaho public libraries for internet content filtering purchased between July 1, 2019 and May 13, 2020 utilizing remaining state broadband reimbursement and other end-of-year funds. This reimbursement is offered to assist libraries in their efforts to comply with the new state requirements to have content filtering in place on their publicly accessible wireless internet access starting July 1, 2020.
Reimbursement requests are permitted for the total cost of the internet content filtering, including any necessary hardware, software, license agreements, and/or installation costs. All Idaho public libraries are eligible and participation in the E-rate program is not a prerequisite for this reimbursement.
These reimbursement requests will be paid using a combination of surplus state broadband reimbursement funds for libraries remaining after fully reimbursing Idaho public libraries for the after E-rate discount portion of the cost of approved broadband services in addition to other end-of-year funds. If the total reimbursement requests exceed the amount of available surplus funds, ICfL will develop a formula based on library need to partially pay the eligible reimbursements to fully utilize the amount of surplus funding available.
If additional surplus funding is available after fully reimbursing all eligible content filtering requests, ICfL will use the remaining surplus funds to reimburse Idaho public libraries for mobile hotspots purchased to check out to library users between July 1, 2019 and April 20, 2020. Reimbursement requests are permitted for the cost of the device(s) and the cost of the mobile hotspot data plan(s) during that time period.
Please use this short online form to submit a reimbursement request for your library. You may elect to submit invoices for content filtering, mobile hotspots, or both. All reimbursement requests are due by end-of-day Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
If you have any questions about this reimbursement program, content filtering, mobile hotspots, or anything else related to broadband or technology for your library, please contact Broadband Consultant Dylan Baker.