Overview

The Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) has been awarded two $1 million grants through the Idaho Broadband Grant program administered by the Idaho Department of Commerce, which utilizes CARES Act funding received by the State of Idaho. The ICfL’s awards are for “Rural Libraries Connecting Idahoans via Wi-Fi Hotspots,” a project to provide reliable open wireless internet access in Idaho’s smallest, most rural communities utilizing public libraries’ existing broadband service. The first $1 million grant awarded through the project includes all public library buildings serving communities of fewer than 3,000 people, including 97 possible cities and unincorporated communities. The second $1 million grant awarded through the project includes all public library buildings serving communities of fewer than 10,000 people, including 119 possible cities and unincorporated communities. (Eligible public libraries and branches are listed below.)

Eligible public libraries that apply and are accepted will receive new state-of-the-art Cisco Meraki network equipment capable of symmetrical gigabit speeds, including indoor and outdoor wireless access points. This network equipment will be installed and configured by a contracted technology vendor. No technical knowledge or skills will be required of library staff.

What will my library receive if I apply and am accepted?

If your library is accepted, ICfL staff will connect you with our contracted technology vendor for this project. The technology vendor will work with you to schedule a site survey of your building to determine what new network equipment is needed so that your community members can reliably access your library’s public Wi-Fi throughout your library’s parking lot and/or adjacent public areas. This new network equipment will include a Cisco Meraki firewall, switch, indoor and outdoor wireless access points, and necessary cabling. A five-year license will be included with all equipment. The technology vendor will install and configure the network equipment in your library.

What will I need to do if I apply and am accepted?

Approved grant applicants will:

  • Coordinate with ICfL staff and the ICfL’s contracted technology vendor to have new network equipment installed and configured by November 30, 2020.
  • Complete and submit a final grant report, including documentation that the new network equipment was installed and is in good working order, by December 4, 2020.

How do I apply?

Complete the online application form for each eligible library building by September 9, 2020.

How will applications be ranked and when will I be notified?

Based on the amount of funding available, we anticipate 66 of the top-ranked eligible library buildings will be accepted in the initial wave. As project work on the initial wave is completed and as excess funding remains, additional standby library buildings will be accepted in ranked order until all funds are exhausted. All libraries that apply will be notified of their status (initial wave or standby) by September 14, 2020.

Applicants will be ranked using a scoring rubric. The maximum number of points is 25. Application questions with associated points are marked below. Grant reviewers may also take into account library budgets and geographic distribution when awarding grants.

  • (Up to 5 points) Does your library’s public Wi-Fi currently provide reliable coverage throughout the publicly-accessible areas of the library building?
  • (Up to 10 points) Does your library’s public Wi-Fi currently extend beyond the library building and provide reliable coverage throughout the library’s parking lot and/or adjacent public areas?
  • (Up to 10 points) If your library is awarded this opportunity and new network equipment and wireless access points are installed, will your library’s public Wi-Fi be made available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even when the building is closed?

Where can I go for help?

If you have any questions about this program or your application, please contact Dylan Baker, Broadband Consultant, at (208) 639-4167 or dylan.baker@libraries.idaho.gov

Eligible Libraries and Branches

  • Aberdeen District Library
  • Ada Community Library – Hidden Springs Branch
  • Ada Community Library – Star Branch
  • American Falls District Library
  • Armoral Tuttle Public Library
  • Bear Lake County District Library – Montpelier Branch
  • Bear Lake County District Library – Paris Branch
  • Bellevue Public Library
  • Benewah County District Library – Tensed Branch
  • Benewah County District Library – Tri-Community Branch
  • Boise Basin Library District
  • Boundary County District Library
  • Bruneau District Library
  • Buhl Public Library
  • Camas County District Library
  • Cambridge Community Library
  • Cascade Public Library
  • Challis Public Library
  • Clark County District Library
  • Clarkia District Library
  • Clearwater County District Library
  • Clearwater Memorial Library
  • Community Library Network – Athol Branch
  • Community Library Network – Harrison Branch
  • Community Library Network – Pinehurst Branch
  • Community Library Network – Rathdrum Branch
  • Community Library Network – Spirit Lake Branch
  • Council District Library
  • DeMary Memorial Public Library
  • Donnelly Public Library District
  • East Bonner County Library District – Clark Fork Branch
  • East Bonner County Library District – Sandpoint Branch
  • Eastern Owyhee County District Library
  • Elk River Free Library District
  • Emmett Public Library
  • Filer Public Library
  • Franklin County District (Larsen-Sant) Library
  • Fremont County District Library – Ashton Branch
  • Fremont County District Library – Island Park Branch
  • Fremont County District Library – St. Anthony Branch
  • Garden Valley District Library
  • Glenns Ferry Public Library
  • Gooding District Library
  • Grace District Library
  • Grangeville Centennial Library
  • Hagerman Public Library
  • Hailey Public Library
  • Hansen Community Library
  • Homedale Public Library (Gypsy Jackson Memorial Library)
  • Horseshoe Bend District Library
  • Idaho Falls Public Library – Iona Community Library
  • Idaho Falls Public Library – Swan Valley Branch
  • Jefferson County District Library – Hamer Branch
  • Jefferson County District Library – Heart of the Valley Branch
  • Jefferson County District Library – Menan Branch
  • Kellogg Public Library
  • Kimberly Public Library
  • Latah County Library District – Bovill Branch
  • Latah County Library District – Deary Branch
  • Latah County Library District – Genesee Branch
  • Latah County Library District – Juliaette Branch
  • Latah County Library District – Potlatch Branch
  • Latah County Library District – Troy Branch
  • Lemhi County District Library – Leadore (Community) Branch
  • Lemhi County District Library – Salmon Branch
  • Lewisville Public Library
  • Little Wood River District Library
  • Lizard Butte District Library
  • Lost Rivers District Library – Arco Branch
  • Lost Rivers District Library – Howe Branch
  • Mackay District Library
  • McCall Public Library
  • Meadows Valley Public Library
  • Middleton Public Library
  • Midvale District Library
  • Mullan Public Library
  • North Bingham County District Library
  • Notus Public Library
  • Oakley District Library
  • Ola District Library
  • Oneida County District Library
  • Osburn Public Library
  • Patricia Romanko Public Library
  • Payette Public Library
  • Pierce District Library
  • Plummer Public Library
  • Prairie District Library
  • Prairie River Library District – Craigmont Branch
  • Prairie River Library District – Culdesac Branch
  • Prairie River Library District – Kamiah Branch
  • Prairie River Library District – Kooskia Branch
  • Prairie River Library District – Lapwai Branch
  • Prairie River Library District – Nezperce Branch
  • Prairie River Library District – Peck Branch
  • Prairie River Library District – Winchester Branch
  • Priest Lake District Library
  • Richfield District Library
  • Rigby Public Library
  • Ririe Public Library
  • Roberts Public Library
  • Rockland School/Community Library
  • Salmon River Public Library
  • Shoshone Public Library
  • Soda Springs Public Library
  • South Bannock District Library – Downey Branch
  • South Bannock District Library – Lava Hot Springs
  • South Bannock District Library – McCammon Branch
  • St. Maries Public Library
  • Stanley Community Library District
  • Sugar Salem School/Community Library
  • The Community Library
  • Valley of the Tetons District Library – Driggs Branch
  • Valley of the Tetons District Library – Victor Branch
  • Wallace Public Library
  • Weiser Public Library
  • Wendell Public Library (Sherburn Smith Memorial)
  • West Bonner Library District – Blanchard Branch
  • West Bonner Library District – Priest River Branch
  • Wilder District Library