A most fantabulistical morning to all,

It is my solemn duty to inform all public library E-raters (defined here as duly-appointed representatives of public libraries that have sworn the Great Oath of E-rate, and are engaged in completing the newly-refined process for the upcoming funding year; others are encouraged to click 'Delete' at this time, ideally with a hint of glee) that the deadline for the completion of the Form 470 is April 1st.

Of course, this implies that the deadline for the next form, the Form 471 is April 29th, as there is a mandatory 28-day thumb-twiddling period between the two. This means that the sooner you complete the Form 470, the more time you will have to complete the Form 471, and time is a dwindling luxury where E-rate is concerned.

There are additional hurdles (!) this year, as the process has altered greatly from previous years, and forms can only be completed online. In order to complete a form, you must activate your EPC account, or have one created if you were not an applicant in the previous funding year.

I will be in and out of the office over the next week, so if you would care for assistance, I encourage email as the primary form of communication when asking questions. Fortunately, the good folk of USAC have provided video training that may prove useful to applicants:

http://www.usac.org/sl/about/outreach/online-learning.aspx

I leave you with a reminder that today is National Puppy Day: https://www.google.com/search?q=puppies&tbm=isch

-Jared Leadbetter
E-rate and Technology Consultant
Maine State Library
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207-287-5620