Good morning, all,



This email is for public libraries who are potentially interested in loaning wireless devices and hotspots as a service to their communities. The second round of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) has begun! If you are unfamiliar with the ECF, it is a federal fund supporting the role of schools and libraries as vital sources of Internet connectivity and digital literacy in their communities, and is specifically aimed at helping schools and libraries provide that connectivity in the homes of those without it.


Special availability and pricing for cellular data plans and hotspots may be available through the major providers like U.S. Cellular, Verizon, and AT&T. We have done some information gathering to get the current quotes (not all vendors replied), and interested libraries may wish to do their own research.



If you may be interested in this program, check out https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.emergencyconnectivityfund.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7CJared.Leadbetter%40maine.gov%7C5b85128761d34b13f7a008d98348c65a%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637685170845292906%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=evd%2F8ONA04AAiuPqyZsb%2FbvRMeeXkvt0KfKlTsf5GdU%3D&reserved=0> to get a better sense of the ECF and what is required. There is a wealth of guidance around the ECF, but there isn't a lot of time, as the application window closes on October 13th.



As always, please let me know if you should have questions.



-Jared Leadbetter

 Maine State Library