E-Rate Information and Training
E-Rate Information and TrainingDid you know that public libraries are eligible to receive discounts on internet connection, wireless access and hardware that supports internet access through the E-rate program? By filling out a few forms you can get as much as a 90% discount on your bills.
The telephone companies and the federal government collect this money from every telephone customer, but unless you ask for it, this money just sits in Washington.
Because it is so important that libraries claim their E-rate money, OPLIN supports workshops on E-rate for public libraries each fall. The workshops are presented by Lorrie Germann, State E-rate Coordinator. Lorrie is also available to answer individual questions from public libraries about E-rate issues. You may contact Lorrie at 740-253-1153 or lorrie.germann@gmail.com.
Training Dates for Fall 2024
E-rate for Beginners
September 26, 2-4 pm
Register for beginners' workshop
First-time filers and other beginners can learn more about E-rate and how your library can benefit, including new opportunities for funding hotspots and a variety of internal network products and services.
E-rate for Experienced Filers
October 24, 9-11 am
Register for veterans' workshop
Experienced filers and other E-rate veterans can learn more about the recent changes to E-rate, including new rules for hotspots, opportunities for Category 2 in the final year of the 5-year budget cycle, and the cybersecurity pilot for those who are interested.
Form 470 Training for Category 1 Services
October 29, 2-3:30 pm
Register for Cat1 470 workshop
Step-by-step walk-through of Form 470 for FY2025 Category 1 requests, including Wi-Fi hotspots.
Form 470 Training for Category 2 Services
October 31, 2-3:30 pm
Register for Cat2 470 workshop
Don't leave money on the table. Attend this step-by-step walk-through of Form 470 for FY2025 Category 2 requests.
Some E-rate programs require libraries to be compliant with the Children’s Internet and Protection Act, also known as CIPA. These restrictions take the form of requirements for Internet safety policies and technology which blocks or filters certain material from being accessed through the Internet. More information on CIPA compliance is available here. Additionally, OPLIN provides internet filtering at no charge to public libraries.
Category 2 Applicant Resources
Category 2 Applicant ResourcesDid you know that E-rate discounts apply to more than just internet connections and data?
Category 2 is a separate type of E-rate that has a 5-year budget cycle, and that cycle runs through June 30, 2026. However, you want to start planning now if you have not yet used your Category 2 discount budget. The application window for Category 2 projects for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 will open this summer!
What can you get with a Category 2 E-rate application?
Up to 85% off of these network necessities:
- Internal Connections
- Managed Internal Broadband Services
- Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections
Libraries must certify CIPA compliance to request any Category 2 funds.
What does that really mean?
Category 2 funding can be used to fund the purchase, installation and maintenance of network switches, routers, wireless access points and controllers, structured network cabling, and battery backups. You may be able to save a lot of money on your IT budget next year!
Want to learn more?
- Find out what your remaining Category 2 budget is now.
- Contact OPLIN for some suggestions on how to approach your application.
- Review the Category 2 eLearning Module from USAC.
- Review the Category 2 resources available here.
- Plan your application with this step-by-step list.
Category 2 Project Planning List
Category 2 Project Planning ListE-rate Category 2 Funds Available
This is the last year libraries can use their current 5-year E-rate Category 2 budget. To access these funds, prepare to file requests for proposals (Form 470) before the end of 2024.
Libraries must certify CIPA compliance to request any Category 2 funds.
Key dates:
- The competitive bidding window opens in July 2024 and closes in January 2025 (Form 470).
- The process of filing for E-rate funding opens in January 2025 and closes in March 2025 (Form 471).
- Projects can start before July 2025, but vendor invoices must be dated July 1, 2025 or later.
Questions?
As always, you can contact OPLIN.
Step-by-Step:
E-Rate Cybersecurity Pilot
E-Rate Cybersecurity PilotThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designated a portion of the Universal Service Fund (USF) to establish a cybersecurity pilot program. The program will require an initial application, and a pilot program cohort will be selected from the initial applicant pool. Applicants may be individual libraries, library systems, or library consortia.
Selected libraries are eligible for a pre-discount budget of $15,000 per site, up to $175,000 for a system or consortium consisting of 12 or more sites. That budget re-sets each year for the 3 years of the pilot program ($45,000 per site for the duration of the pilot program or $525,000 for an applicant with 12 or more sites).
USAC Resources
- A full overview of the pilot program can be found at https://www.usac.org/e-rate/cybersecurity-pilot-program.
- Sign up for Pilot Program email updates.
- Visit the Learn section the USAC website to find newsletters, webinars, and FAQs.
FCC Resources
- For all of the details from the FCC, you can read the published rule in the Federal Register or the full Report and Order.
- Interested applicants can also visit the FCC’s Cybersecurity webpage for further resources.
E-rate Discount Rate
E-rate Discount Rate donThis chart contains the current E-rate discount percentage for Ohio library systems with branches. The average monthly recurring cost for a 100 Mbps Ethernet circuit is approximately $400, and the chart shows what that would cost a library after E-rate discounts are applied.
| Library Name | Category 1 Discount | Approx Monthly Cost 100 Mbps |
| Adams County Public Library - OH0129 | 80% | $80 |
| Akron-Summit County Public Library - OH0002 | 90% | $40 |
| Ashtabula County District Library - OH0012 | 90% | $40 |
| Athens County Public Libraries - OH0156 | 80% | $80 |
| Auglaize County District Public Library - OH0225 | 70% | $120 |
| Barberton Public Library - OH0016 | 80% | $80 |
| Belmont County District Library - OH0133 | 80% | $80 |
| Birchard Public Library of Sandusky County - OH0086 | 70% | $120 |
| Briggs Lawrence County Public Library - OH0107 | 60% | $160 |
| Brown County Public Library - OH0090 | 70% | $120 |
| Brumback Library - OH0221 | 70% | $120 |
| Carnegie Public Library (Washington CH) - OH0227 | 80% | $80 |
| Carroll County District Library - OH0042 | 70% | $120 |
| Champaign County Library - OH0220 | 80% | $80 |
| Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library - OH0048 | 90% | $40 |
| Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library - OH0049 | 90% | $40 |
| Clark County Public Library - OH0204 | 90% | $40 |
| Claymont Public Library - OH0068 | 80% | $80 |
| Clermont County Public Library - OH0018 | 80% | $80 |
| Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library - OH0053 | 90% | $40 |
| Cleveland Public Library - OH0051 | 90% | $40 |
| Columbus Metropolitan Library - OH0057 | 90% | $40 |
| Coshocton Public Library - OH0059 | 90% | $40 |
| Crestline Public Library - OH0061 | 90% | $40 |
| Cuyahoga County Public Library - OH0052 | 60% | $160 |
| Dayton Metro Library - OH0063 | 90% | $40 |
| Defiance Public Library - OH0064 | 70% | $120 |
| Delaware County District Library - OH0065 | 50% | $200 |
| Elyria Public Library - OH0077 | 80% | $80 |
| Fairfield County District Library - OH0116 | 80% | $80 |
| Findlay-Hancock County Public Library - OH0081 | 50% | $200 |
| Franklin-Springboro Public Libraries - OH0085 | 60% | $160 |
| Garnet A Wilson Public Library of Pike County - OH0229 | 80% | $80 |
| Geauga County Public Library - OH0046 | 50% | $200 |
| Greene County Public Library - OH0247 | 80% | $80 |
| Guernsey County District Public Library - OH0037 | 80% | $80 |
| Harris-Elmore Public Library - OH0076 | 60% | $160 |
| Highland County District Library - OH0101 | 80% | $80 |
| Holmes County District Public Library - OH0146 | 70% | $120 |
| Huron County Community Library - OH0241 | 80% | $80 |
| Ida Rupp Public Library - OH0188 | 70% | $120 |
| Kate Love Simpson-Morgan County Library - OH0139 | 80% | $80 |
| Lakewood Public Library - OH0115 | 50% | $200 |
| Lane Public Library - OH0100 | 80% | $80 |
| Licking County Library - OH0163 | 80% | $80 |
| Lima Public Library - OH0121 | 90% | $40 |
| Logan County Libraries - OH0021 | 70% | $120 |
| Logan-Hocking County District Library - OH0123 | 80% | $80 |
| Lorain Public Library System - OH0125 | 90% | $40 |
| Mansfield-Richland County Public Library - OH0130 | 90% | $40 |
| Marion Public Library - OH0132 | 90% | $40 |
| Mary L Cook Public Library - OH0231 | 40% | $240 |
| Marysville Public Library - OH0134 | 50% | $200 |
| Massillon Public Library - OH0136 | 90% | $40 |
| McKinley Memorial Library - OH0166 | 80% | $80 |
| Medina County District Library - OH0141 | 50% | $200 |
| Meigs County District Public Library - OH0187 | 90% | $40 |
| Mentor Public Library - OH0142 | 40% | $240 |
| Mercer County District Public Library - OH0043 | 70% | $120 |
| MidPointe Library System - OH0144 | 90% | $40 |
| Milan-Berlin Public Libraries - OH0145 | 60% | $160 |
| Muskingum County Library System - OH0250 | 90% | $40 |
| Napoleon Public Library - OH0155 | 70% | $120 |
| Patrick Henry School District Public Library - OH0069 | 60% | $160 |
| Paulding County Carnegie Library - OH0179 | 70% | $120 |
| Pemberville Public Library - OH0180 | 50% | $200 |
| Peninsula Library - OH0181 | 70% | $120 |
| Perry County District Library - OH0158 | 80% | $80 |
| Pickaway County District Public Library - OH0050 | 80% | $80 |
| Pickerington Public Library - OH0184 | 60% | $160 |
| Portage County District Library - OH0089 | 60% | $160 |
| Portsmouth Public Library - OH0189 | 90% | $40 |
| Preble County District Library - OH0075 | 60% | $160 |
| Public Library of Mt Vernon and Knox County - OH0153 | 80% | $80 |
| Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County - OH0208 | 90% | $40 |
| Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County - OH0248 | 90% | $40 |
| Puskarich Public Library - OH0035 | 80% | $80 |
| Putnam County District Library - OH0176 | 50% | $200 |
| Ridgemont Public Library - OH0154 | 50% | $200 |
| Rodman Public Library - OH0005 | 90% | $40 |
| Sabina Public Library - OH0197 | 70% | $120 |
| Sandusky Library - OH0199 | 80% | $80 |
| Shaker Heights Public Library - OH0200 | 50% | $200 |
| Shelby County Libraries - Amos Memorial - OH0203 | 80% | $80 |
| Southwest Public Libraries - OH0099 | 80% | $80 |
| St. Paris Public Library - OH0207 | 60% | $160 |
| Stark County District Library - OH0039 | 90% | $40 |
| Toledo-Lucas County Public Library - OH0215 | 90% | $40 |
| Troy-Miami County Public Library - OH0216 | 60% | $160 |
| Tuscarawas County Public Library - OH0161 | 70% | $120 |
| Union Township Public Library - OH0192 | 90% | $40 |
| Upper Arlington Public Library - OH0218 | 40% | $240 |
| Warren-Trumbull County Public Library - OH0226 | 90% | $40 |
| Washington County Public Library - OH0131 | 70% | $120 |
| Washington-Centerville Public Library - OH0045 | 40% | $240 |
| Wayne County Public Library - OH0245 | 70% | $120 |
| Weston Public Library - OH0239 | 60% | $160 |
| Williams County Public Library - OH0032 | 70% | $120 |
| Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library - OH0242 | 60% | $160 |
| Wilmington Public Library of Clinton County - OH0243 | 80% | $80 |
| Wood County District Public Library - OH0029 | 50% | $200 |
| Worthington Libraries - OH0246 | 50% | $200 |
Hotspot Program
Hotspot ProgramThe E-rate Hotspot Program has developed from the FCC's Learn without Limits initiative and the lessons learned from the Emergency Connectivity Program. For a good, library-focused overview of the program, check out ALA's Learn Without Limits information page. ALA has also developed a library-focused FAQ on the hotspot program.
For all of the details from the FCC, you can read the full Report and Order, which includes federal program rules.
There are currently eLearning Modules available from USAC, the E-rate program administrators. Check out these two sections of Module 2 in particular:
- C1: Wi-Fi Hotspots for Off Premises Use (Data Transmission)
- C1: Wi-Fi Hotspots for Off Premises Use (Equipment)
FY2025 Hotspot Form 470 for the OPLIN Consortium - Bidder FAQ
FY2025 Hotspot Form 470 for the OPLIN Consortium - Bidder FAQOPLIN will submit a consortia bid request for the FCC Off-premises Wi-Fi hotspot program. Further details about the consortia bid request, Form 470 #250006641, will be posted here, including an FAQ response for bidders.
Questions are due in writing to hotspot470@oplin.ohio.gov by 9am EST on Friday, December 6.
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No questions were submitted to hotspot470@oplin.ohio.gov by the due date.
Answers will be posted here, for the benefit of all bidders, by 5pm on Friday, December 13.
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Since no questions were submitted by the due date, there were no answers to post on December 13.
Bids are due by the allowable contract date listed on the FCC Form 470, which is December 19, unless otherwise posted here.
OPLIN Fall2024 Branch Circuits 470 - Bidder FAQ
OPLIN Fall2024 Branch Circuits 470 - Bidder FAQ donOPLIN seeks EPL, EVPL or ELAN leased lit fiber circuits to connect a minimum of 69 library branch locations with their main/central library, the State of Ohio Computer Center, or existing OARnet/vendor NNI. Further details about the bid request, Form 470 #250007259, will be posted here, including an FAQ response for bidders.
Questions are due in writing to branchcircuits@oplin.ohio.gov by December 31, 2024.
Answers will be posted here, for the benefit of all bidders.
Bids are due by 8:00 AM EST on Friday, January 17, 2025, unless otherwise posted here.
Request Library Branch Connections from OPLIN
Request Library Branch Connections from OPLINLet OPLIN do the work to connect your library branches to the internet.
OPLIN will contract with a service provider to deliver one gigabit service to each branch; we will pay the charges and file for E-rate reimbursements. Once a year, the library will get a bill for $2,000 per branch.
To get started, fill out and submit the form below by November 1, 2024. Submit a separate form for each branch needing service.
Questions? Email branchcircuits@oplin.ohio.gov.