[OPLINLIST] E-Rate Workshop

[Jo Kimmet]

The State Library will be sponsoring a series of workshops on the federal
E-Rate program.  

The Universal Service Fund for Schools and Libraries, popularly known as the
E-Rate, provides all public and private schools and libraries with access to
affordable telecommunications and advanced technologies. Schools and
libraries can apply annually for discounts of from 20 to 90% on
telecommunications services, Internet access and internal connections. All
Ohio public libraries are eligible to apply.

Workshops will provide an overview of the E-rate program, will discuss the
rationale for participation in the program and the value of E-rate support,
and will walk workshop participants through the preparation and submission
of the necessary forms to successfully request reimbursement under the
E-rate program. Any new changes in the E-rate program will also be
discussed.

The workshop presenter is Dr. Dan Farslow, State of Ohio E-rate Coordinator
and Program Manager for E-rate Support and Information at the Ohio SchoolNet
Commission.  Dan's responsibilities include assisting Ohio's schools in
submitting applications for E-rate awards, representing Ohio's E-rate
interest with federal program administrators and conducting annual E-rate
workshops for Ohio school districts and schools.  Ohio school districts have
met with a great deal of success.  Schools have received over $42 million in
E-rate awards for funding year 2003 and over $340 million since 1998.  

Dan is extremely knowledgeable about the E-rate program and has a great deal
of experience and success in supporting the filing of requisite Forms 470
and 471.  There is a perception in the library community that filing an
E-rate application is very difficult.  Dan will be able to provide many tips
and much guidance on understanding the E-rate program as well as on
completing the application materials.  There is every reason to believe that
a library representative who attends these workshops will be able to file a
successful application.

With budgets as tight as they are, the E-rate Program is a potential source
of additional funds. It is important to understand that the E-rate program
is not necessarily a competitive program.  ALL applications for eligible
Telecommunications and Internet Access services that have been submitted by
eligible applicants, according to program rules, have been approved and
funded.  

I encourage you to send the person who would be responsible for filing
E-rate applications to these workshops. Even if your library does not
support the Internet filtering provision mandated by CIPA, your library
remains eligible for the award of discounts on all applications for
"telecommunication services" including local and long-distance telephone
service, cellular service and T-1 lines.  

The first series of E-rate Workshops will be offered in October, providing
an overview of the E-rate process, specific requirements for the upcoming
funding year and a line-by-line review of the Form 470, the first step in
the application process.  The second series of workshops will offer line-by
line review and analysis of the filing of the Form 471, the actual
application for discounts on eligible services.

These workshops are free. The workshops are offered through the Regional
Library Systems and are open to all Ohio public library representatives.
Participants may register on-line by visiting www.slocem.lib.oh.us and
signing up for a Form 470 workshop and also a follow-up Form 471 workshop.
Below is the schedule:

	First Workshop (Form 470) 9:30am - 3pm

	October 6, 2003	SOLO
	October 7, 2003	CAMLS
	October 9, 2003	MOLO
	October 10, 2003	GCLC	
	October 20, 2003	OVAL	
	October 24, 2003	NOLA
	October 28, 2003	NORWELD

	Second Workshop (Form 471) 9:30am - 12 noon

	November 14, 2003	NOLA
	November 17, 2003	MOLO
	November 24, 2003	GCLC
	December 1, 2003	NORWELD
	December 4, 2003	CAMLS
	December 15, 2003	OVAL
	December 16, 2003	SOLO

The exact location of the workshops can be found at the registration site.

If you have questions please contact Roger Verny at 1-800-644-6849 or
rverny@sloma.state.oh.us.