New York State Libraries and Funding Opportunities through the American Recovery and Reconstruction Act

The Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP)

In July 2009, the Federal government opened the first round of funding opportunities for broadband grants in three categories for BTOP: Infrastructure (Track 1), Public Computer Centers (Track 2) and Broadband Adoption Programs (Track 3). The New York State Library has submitted two applications in Round One, partnering with library systems, colleges, universities and community anchors to build a comprehensive application on behalf of various library entities that expressed an interest in submitting a joint proposal.

In preparing this web site, The New York State Library hopes to provide resources and guidance for libraries and library entities that may pursue funding in future rounds anticipated in 2010. Additionally potential partners may review the connectivity information for libraries to determine the types of additional services that could be provided through partnerships for improved connectivity.

Stimulus Awards Information

Ten round one awards have been issued, and New York has received a major award through the ION Upstate New York Rural Broadband Initiative. ION and Development Authority of the North Country (DANCexternal link) will receive $39.7 million in federal funds and will self-fund an additional $4.95 million to complete this infrastructure project. They will also receive a New York State Innovation Economy Matching Grant for $4.95 million for a total project cost of $49.6 million. This project will enable last mile service providers to make broadband more readily available to 250,000 households and 38,000 businesses, serving more than 70 rural communities in upstate New York and parts of Pennsylvania and Vermont. Another grant ($5.3 million) was awarded to Slic Network Solutions for a fiber network in Franklin County.

Additional information is available at Funded Broadband, Infrastructure and Public Computer Center Project Announcements. external link

Helpful Hints for Future BTOP Funding Rounds

  • February 2010: The New America Foundation's Open Technology Initiative (OTI) has expanded their publicly available Broadband Stimulus Resource Libraryexternal link, adding four application guides to assist those interested in applying for funding from the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) Broadband Initiative Program (BIP) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).
  • In the News: January 8, 2010: ARRA Broadband Match Portalexternal link: To help establish partnerships among prospective applicants for broadband grant and loan programs, the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced the development of an online "matching" service to help applicants locate partners to assist any in building stronger funding requests in subsequent BTOP funding rounds for broadband expansion and adoption in the United States. In the press announcement, NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling added "BroadbandMatchexternal link is a tool to help stakeholders collaborate, which can spur the highest caliber, most effective proposals for this crucial Recovery Act funding." (Read moreexternal link)
  • There will be one application opportunity issued in 2010 by the Federal agencies, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
  • Continue to check BroadbandUSA.govexternal link for new administrative and reporting requirements.
  • Libraries and library systems are encouraged to participate in aggregated applications. Applications may receive higher scores if submitted as part of a consortia or partnership with colleges and/or community agencies.

New York State Resources

Broadband Growth in New York State

Libraries are not alone in a statewide effort to embrace broadband. New York State has many ongoing initiatives through the Office for Technologyexternal link. Additionally, the Governor has created a matching grant programexternal link to help fund the expansion of broadband. Regional municipal and economic development agencies have also begun to expand municipal wireless in the counties of Albany, Ontario, and Westchester, while libraries have also continued to upgrade their connectivity to meet patron demand. New York Libraries have sustained their broadband and Internet connectivity through technology budgets, grants and wide area networks supported by library systems. The New York Opportunity Online Summit, held in June 2009, provided a venue for the exchange of ideas on the topic of broadband sustainability.

Potential Library Partners

For expertise in building a new network or consulting expertise in the deployment of network infrastructure, libraries may wish to work with non-profits and technology experts, or with other library partners to build library network consortia to explore cost-sharing or with the vendor community under contract to New York State through the Office of General Services.

New York State Broadband Strategic Roadmap pdf fileexternal link

New York Libraries & Connectivity

In 2008, baseline assessments of public library connectivity speeds were collected for the majority of public libraries throughout New York as part of the New York State Library's partnership with the Gates Foundation through its Opportunity Online Grant program. This data collection is available for review.

New York State Broadband Summary Data 2009-2010 external link

Additional Resources

Last Updated: May 10, 2012; for questions or comments, contact Mary Linda Todd; (518) 486-4858