Good afternoon, all, It's been a long time. How are you? Working hard or ... yeah, I can't bring myself to finish that phrase. Let's move on. Public libraries, you may have noticed a lot of alphabet soup as of late being talked about on the channel, including something called the ECF (Emergency Connectivity Fund). The short of it is: it's money for libraries hoping to lend laptops, tablets and / or mifi devices to patrons who lack the ability to access library services aside from going to the library (read: no Internet connection or computer / tablet at home). Here's the long of it: -- The Emergency Connectivity Fund Program will provide up to $7.17 billion in support to schools and libraries for the purchase of laptop and tablet computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic for use by students, school staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack connected devices and/or broadband connections sufficient to fully engage in remote learning. The FCC and USAC will open the first Emergency Connectivity Fund Program application filing window on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at noon ET, which will fund equipment and services for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. The first application filing window will be open for 45 days, during which applicants will be able to submit requests for funding for purchases to be made between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 to meet the needs of students, school staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack access to basic educational opportunities and library services. The FCC’s announcement of the funding window is available on their website<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.outreach.usac.org%2F%3Fqs%3D4b037d83d96e796097a3c6994482d4a93f5e88a70691187d4b56d6e460cc502b19341ea77ad4b309bef773b19ebf40d3cbc01afbecc250f3&data=04%7C01%7CJared.Leadbetter%40maine.gov%7C3cd4c72b528d42e0b08508d9302ca3fe%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637593790554895862%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=pEhNEuyffwHHd2SZvh%2F6DT0vBIlF%2Bb8%2Bc2wpNd1nAJY%3D&reserved=0>. Stay Informed USAC will conduct outreach and training about the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. Register for an Emergency Connectivity Fund Program overview training. USAC will repeat the training several times to allow all potential program participants to join a session and will post recordings of webinars when they are completed. * Wednesday, June 16 @ 2:00 p.m. ET: Emergency Connectivity Fund Overview Webinar for E-rate Participants – Register<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.outreach.usac.org%2F%3Fqs%3D4b037d83d96e79605c3a8e91d649717f252163e4c0002899199776749b9d1e490e8595a48968c305bddce62309bd7a4e0f44d8f5be18730b&data=04%7C01%7CJared.Leadbetter%40maine.gov%7C3cd4c72b528d42e0b08508d9302ca3fe%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637593790554905816%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=vBnVOPtr8%2F0DlO8MH1L0Ol7g8Sh0kzsklUgmR%2BuV0lo%3D&reserved=0> * Thursday, June 17 @ 2:00 p.m. ET: Emergency Connectivity Fund Overview Webinar for New (Non E-rate) Participants – Register<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.outreach.usac.org%2F%3Fqs%3D4b037d83d96e79607796808ba66c1a6199ba146837ea4cd9fd7023799cf7b9223a3e96fdb2966ec05580b57b67277747e0caaad53b1e1a97&data=04%7C01%7CJared.Leadbetter%40maine.gov%7C3cd4c72b528d42e0b08508d9302ca3fe%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637593790554905816%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=QhXiZbizU01MVUZQdqIkvn84Gx0GyVQtmtnHtXPXUtg%3D&reserved=0> * Thursday, June 17 @ 4:00 p.m. ET: Emergency Connectivity Fund Overview for Tribal Applicants – Register<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.outreach.usac.org%2F%3Fqs%3D4b037d83d96e7960ba5bfac409e31a33e57b15e991e753e166ce0a0443e682be990c20f8c6128b0cfe6999e8fc1dde1e827ab69c4c029338&data=04%7C01%7CJared.Leadbetter%40maine.gov%7C3cd4c72b528d42e0b08508d9302ca3fe%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637593790554915774%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Kk58Vc2SOZVQXlUlWDMhk%2BasZOwQxpKmVMaD0MMtbF8%3D&reserved=0> * Wednesday, June 23 @ 3:00 p.m. ET: Emergency Connectivity Fund Overview for Potential Applicants – Register<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.outreach.usac.org%2F%3Fqs%3D4b037d83d96e79608567a5cce9ab991b9c8f12a1984e20e3ef8543d05fa82c10c156279496299ff6cf05f34231a596656265778f09679234&data=04%7C01%7CJared.Leadbetter%40maine.gov%7C3cd4c72b528d42e0b08508d9302ca3fe%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637593790554925727%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=FWU%2FpcQS9fgYZ1Nci7qbS%2F4%2FRcTENjrmDC0gUYw6qYE%3D&reserved=0> USAC will post Program e-learning modules on the website and host weekly office hours where applicants and service providers can ask questions and get information about the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program application process. Visit the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program website<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.outreach.usac.org%2F%3Fqs%3D4b037d83d96e79604511023b5a0a7b81db8aa92f80c18629332482bf8a127295ec2b2460c8954a903d15760d73dd3c30d287ad09c8ee7d12&data=04%7C01%7CJared.Leadbetter%40maine.gov%7C3cd4c72b528d42e0b08508d9302ca3fe%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637593790554925727%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=SQ5okdoYvsDeJx8PdCOTj16yKcmoCk%2F8ghX%2FkcWzFRA%3D&reserved=0> to view trainings, access e-learning modules and register for office hour sessions. More detail on the Program is available in the FCC Order<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.outreach.usac.org%2F%3Fqs%3D4b037d83d96e796095c0855d11d569df04ac2b1181dc20f825c1ed82636e18c12cdc214afa6271880cfe87aa058abbe8625c0de604394a15&data=04%7C01%7CJared.Leadbetter%40maine.gov%7C3cd4c72b528d42e0b08508d9302ca3fe%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637593790554935687%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=spQT6UdxHvJav8O9dpzjlo3Q7%2BMUIQ5LbGntyWZDY9A%3D&reserved=0> that established the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. To learn more, please visit EmergencyConnectivityFund.org<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.outreach.usac.org%2F%3Fqs%3D4b037d83d96e7960b33ce29439227aa12f3e04b2d4f54d7c75da5427d9d57ee092cbe4dea88b00f54e0205f143437a9211399bb573d347e9&data=04%7C01%7CJared.Leadbetter%40maine.gov%7C3cd4c72b528d42e0b08508d9302ca3fe%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637593790554935687%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=VGHIrgQeklFJIoFKdtFYHgXiAYdPHKMrFaUnFQBI36Q%3D&reserved=0> and sign up for Emergency Connectivity Fund Program emails<file:///C:/Users/jnoran/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/1Q2K0JS5/E-rate%20Calendar>. -- Unless you are very familiar with the E-rate program, I would recommend registering for the June 17th @ 2 PM webinar. If you're unsure if you want to apply, try the one on June 23rd. webinar. All these webinars will be repeated, so if you miss one, that's okay. As always, should you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. -Jared Leadbetter Maine State Library
