Hello, Jenny!

We can’t get over the good news: at their July meeting, the Federal Communications Commission voted to allow libraries and schools to use federal E-rate funds to purchase Wi-Fi hotspots and the related service.  

This is a big win for libraries!

Since FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel publicly announced her Learn Without Limits proposal at ALA’s 2023 annual conference, we've been gathering input from library workers around the country on their hotspot lending programs. Thanks to their expertise and your advocacy, the FCC acted on much of ALA’s feedback in shaping the new policy. Now, libraries who participate in the E-rate program will have more resources to offer more hotspots to people who need a connection. 

What’s next? Glad you asked! Our three next steps involve library advocates like you. 

1. Say thanks to Chairwoman Rosenworcel. It’s not often enough that such a high-level policymaker will use their leadership to support library services. This is also a big win for Chairwoman Rosenworcel, who’s dedicated her career to bridging the digital divide.   

2. Get ready to purchase hotspots in the FY25 E-rate cycle. Wi-Fi hotspots will be added to the eligible services list in fiscal year 2025. Read ALA’s FAQ on the program rules, and stay tuned for a webinar coming in September!  

3. Stay informed on digital equity funding for all kinds of libraries. Things are moving fast! On the heels of the FCC’s vote on E-rate funding for hotspots, the government separately opened the application window for more than $2 billion in new federal money for digital inclusion programs. Nearly all libraries offer some kind of digital literacy programming, and nearly all libraries – public, academic, school, and others – are eligible to apply. Learn more about accessing that funding at ALA’s web page on digital equity policy.

ALA advocate and Library Director Maria McCauley joined Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Senator Markey, and others in a roundtable to discuss the ways hotspot lending programs help to close the digital divide, and what the new program will mean for communities in Massachusetts.

Since leading the fight to establish the FCC’s E-rate program in the 1990s, ALA has worked with the Commission to improve the program so that more libraries can participate and more communities can get online. Thanks to leadership from Chairwoman Rosenworcel, our long-term advocacy is making real impacts. And thanks to your advocacy, there are more opportunities than ever for libraries to access billions of dollars for digital equity programs.

With gratitude for your advocacy,  

ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Team