<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<style type="text/css" style="display:none;"> P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;} </style>
</head>
<body dir="ltr">
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
We did Cat 2 to pay for new APs, firewall, cabling & switches for 5 buildings.</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
As for advice I'd say its important to get a walkthrough done BEFORE you do the project so you know exactly what you need and then figure out what it'll cost so you can budget accordingly and you can have a realistic idea of what to tell vendors who apply your
budget and how you want things done.</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
When you do the project its good to insist on walkthroughs from the companies bidding, that way you can get a sense of who is worth working with and who isn't. We had one vendor who clearly wasn't qualified, thankfully they weren't the lowest in price but its
easier to disqualify if you've actually talked to them and have reasons to point out why you don't want to work with them. Also was surprised at how many vendors just watch the e-rate website and will try and bid.</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
With multiple walkthroughs people will bring up stuff you hadn't thought of previously too which is good.</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
Expect to go over budget unfortunately. Once you get into the project stuff will come out that no one realized during the planning process.</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
Would recommend hiring a consultant to help w the process, the paperwork and stuff is a nightmare.</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
We literally just did this a few months ago so I'm open to sharing more about our experience if anyone is interested.<span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="elementToProof">
Thanks Larry</div>
<div class="elementToProof">
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div id="Signature">
<div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<table style="font-size: 13.3px; font-family: Helvetica, EmojiFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; text-align: start; width: 470px; background-color: white;">
<tbody>
<tr valign="top">
<td style="width:10px;padding-right:10px"><img alt="photo" style="margin:0px;width:65px;height:55.84px;border-radius:0px;max-width:120px" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ucwebapp.wisestamp.com/3a63199e-4f69-4d07-bcd2-ae2ba7907734/SystemLogo_Vertical.crop_883x759_307,247.preview.format_png.resize_200x.png#logo"> </td>
<td style="border-right:1px solid rgb(69, 102, 142)"></td>
<td style="font-size: 12px; font-family: Arial; padding: 0px 10px; color: rgb(100, 100, 100);">
<div style="margin:0px 0px 5px"><span style="margin: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 128);"><b><span style="margin: 0px; background-color: white;">Larry Ritchie</span></b></span><br>
<span style="margin: 0px; background-color: white;">IT Manager</span>, Tuscarawas County Public Library System</div>
<table style="width:470px;margin-top:5px">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="color: rgb(141, 141, 141);">
<p style="margin:0px">Office: 330.364.4474 ext <span style="margin: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 128);"><span style="margin: 0px; background-color: white;">235 </span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0px"><span style="margin: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 128);"><span style="margin: 0px; background-color: white;">Cell: 330-983-6941</span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0px"><span style="color: rgb(141, 141, 141);">lritchie</span><span style="color: rgb(141, 141, 141);">@tusclibrary.org</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="color: rgb(141, 141, 141);">
<p style="margin:0px"><span style="margin:0px;display:inline-block">www.tusclibrary.org</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-family: sans-serif; color: rgb(141, 141, 141);"><span style="margin:0px;display:inline-block"><span tabindex="0" style="margin:0px">121 Fair Avenue NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663</span></span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="appendonsend"></div>
<hr style="display:inline-block;width:98%" tabindex="-1">
<div id="divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size:11pt" color="#000000"><b>From:</b> OPLINTECH <oplintech-bounces@lists.oplin.org> on behalf of Don Yarman via OPLINTECH <oplintech@lists.oplin.org><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, August 21, 2023 9:57 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> OPLINTECH (OPLINTECH@lists.oplin.org) <oplintech@lists.oplin.org><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [OPLINTECH] Category 2 E-rate Funds</font>
<div> </div>
</div>
<div>
<div dir="ltr">Has your library applied for Category 2 E-rate funds? I'd be interested in hearing from you about what you did.
<div><br>
</div>
<div>While I know more than I care to about Category 1 E-rate, Category 2 is something of a mystery to me. I want to do more to encourage libraries to take advantage of these funds, so I'd like to know some of the things you have used the money for, and any
pieces of advice you want to pass along.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Thanks for your help.</div>
<div>
<div>
<div dir="ltr" class="x_gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">
<div dir="ltr">
<div><br>
</div>
Don Yarman (he/him/his)<br>
Director, Ohio Public Library Information Network<br>
2323 W Fifth Ave Suite 130, Columbus OH 43204<br>
<a href="mailto:don@oplin.ohio.gov" target="_blank">don@oplin.ohio.gov</a> | 614.728.5250<br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>