[OPLINTECH] Annual E-rate Forms Required by OPLIN

[OPLIN Support]

Dear Library Administrator,

It's time once again to start the process of applying 
for E-rate discounts.  Every public library can and 
should take advantage of these discounts on their 
telephone bills. Once again this year, the State 
Library is sponsoring workshops around the state to 
assist libraries with the E-rate process (see 
http://www.winslo.state.oh.us/NewsLtr/SLPage.htm#eratewkshp 
for more information).

E-rate Form 470 can be filed anytime between now and 
January 10, 2007.  Form 471 can be filed between 
November 14 and February 7, 2007, but cannot be filed 
until at least 28 days after its corresponding Form 
470.  In addition to our telephone charges, OPLIN also 
applies for E-rate discounts associated with providing 
Internet services to public libraries.  Since we are 
defined as a "consortium" for E-rate purposes, we have 
to collect specific forms from all of our "consortium 
members" - in other words, from all of the Ohio public 
libraries - in order to complete our applications.

The two forms we require from public libraries are a 
Letter of Agency and a Form 479.  We have to collect 
these forms from every library every year.  This year, 
we have automated the process to make it much easier 
for you.

First, go to http://oplin.org/erate.  You will be asked 
to enter your library's FSCS number and a password; the 
password is your FSCS number (be sure the "OH" is 
uppercase) followed by your 5-digit zip code (no 
spaces).  If you don't know your FSCS number, click on 
"What is my FSCS number?".

Once you successfully log in, the information your 
library provided last year will be automatically 
displayed.  If there are any errors in your E-rate ID 
(Billed Entity Number) or FCC Registration Number, 
click on the "Update my ID information" link at the top 
of the page to send OPLIN an e-mail with the corrected 
information.  You can make changes to any of the other 
information on the page by typing it into the 
appropriate boxes and hitting the "Submit" button at 
the bottom.  If your current information is the same as 
last year's, simply click the "No Change" buttons.  Be 
sure to submit the e-mail address you want to use for 
E-rate-related contact.

The last box asks about CIPA (Children's Internet 
Protection Act) compliance.  Depending on what you 
choose from the pull-down list, new text will appear on 
the screen asking for further confirmation of your CIPA 
status.  You will need to click on the check box in 
front of the new text to certify that it is accurate. 
The Ohio Library Council has a good webpage about 
CIPA-compliance at http://olc.org/CIPAIntro.asp.

Once you've completed the information and clicked 
"Submit," several things happen automatically.  First, 
a Letter of Agency and a Form 479 for your library are 
generated and saved in pdf format on OPLIN's server. 
You'll also see a message allowing you to view or 
download the pdf file.  An e-mail will also be sent to 
the address you provided, verifying that you submitted 
the form and containing a link to the pdf file.

At this point, you should carefully review the pdf 
file.  If you need to make changes, simply start the 
process again (http://oplin.org/erate).  When 
everything in the pdf looks correct, you MUST print out 
the forms, sign and date them, and mail them to OPLIN 
at 2323 W. Fifth Ave. Suite 130, Columbus, Ohio 43204; 
or fax them to us at 614-728-5256.

The Letter of Agency gives OPLIN the authority to apply 
for E-rate discounts on the services you receive from 
us.  Form 479 certifies that your library receives 
particular services from a consortium, and that the 
consortium is applying for the E-rate discount on these 
services.

The OPLIN Support Center can answer questions you have 
about this process.  Call 1-888-96-OPLIN between 8:00AM 
and 8:00PM Monday through Thursday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM 
Friday, or e-mail support at oplin.org.

Again, E-rate requires that every library submit these 
forms to OPLIN every year.  Please visit 
http://oplin.org/erate and complete the process as soon 
as you can.

Thank you!