<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><title></title><style type="text/css">p.MsoNormal,p.MsoNoSpacing{margin:0}</style></head><body><div>I assume you get these emails but just in case you don't it sounded like something you should know.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Karen<br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>On Mon, Nov 25, 2024, at 10:34 AM, Don Yarman via OPLINupdates wrote:<br></div><blockquote type="cite" id="qt" style=""><div dir="ltr"><div>As you've no doubt heard, the FCC ordered that E-Rate funds will cover the purchase and service costs of the hotspots many libraries lend to the public. To assist libraries in taking advantage of these funds, OPLIN has released a statewide call for bids (E-Rate form 470) to collect proposals from vendors. Our plan is that libraries may choose one of these proposals to request their own E-Rate discounts/refunds for the E-Rate funding year starting July 2025.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Note: you can't just apply for discounts on your current service plan because E-Rate requires an open, competitive bidding process. <b>If you want to continue with your current vendor, please encourage your vendor to bid on OPLIN's 470.</b> (Tell your vendor that OPLIN's entity number is 17000247, and the application number is 250006641.)<br></div><div><br></div><div>Want to know more? Sign up for our <a href="https://events.library.ohio.gov/event/13623604">Library Hotspot Webinar</a>. Lorrie Germann, State E-Rate Coordinator, will cover common questions like:<br></div><div><ul><li>How much funding is available for my library?<br></li><li>Can I just pay for my current hotspots with these new funds?<br></li><li>What are the best practices when filing for hotspots?<br></li><li>Why should I go through the hassle of E-Rate for my hotspots?<br></li><li>How can OPLIN help to minimize the hassle?<br></li></ul><div>There will be plenty of time for other questions and answers as well.<br></div></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="qt-gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><br></div><div> Don Yarman (he/him/his)<br></div><div> Director, Ohio Public Library Information Network<br></div><div> 2323 W Fifth Ave Suite 130, Columbus OH 43204<br></div><div> <a href="mailto:don@oplin.ohio.gov" target="_blank">don@oplin.ohio.gov</a> | 614.728.5250<br></div></div></div></div></div><div>_______________________________________________<br></div><div>OPLINupdates mailing list<br></div><div><a href="mailto:OPLINupdates@lists.oplin.org">OPLINupdates@lists.oplin.org</a><br></div><div><a href="https://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplinupdates">https://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplinupdates</a><br></div><div><br></div><div>****** Are ALL of your library's staff signed up for OPLINUPDATES? They should be! Have them sign up here: <a href="https://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplinupdates******">https://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplinupdates******</a><br></div><div><br></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div id="sig27087877"><div class="signature">Karen Kimmerly<br></div><div class="signature">Catalog Librarian<br></div><div class="signature">Collection Services<br></div><div class="signature">Clermont County Public Library<br></div><div class="signature">5920 Buckwheat Rd.<br></div><div class="signature">Milford, OH 45150<br></div><div class="signature">Direct: 513-735-7142<br></div><div class="signature">Ext. 1007<br></div><div class="signature"><img src="http://www.clermontlibrary.org/image/logo.png"><br></div><div class="signature"><br></div></div><div><br></div></body></html>