Gates Opportunity Online Broadband Grant Program FAQs
Overview
What are the main goals of the Opportunity Online Hardware project?
The
goals of this project are:
1) Awareness: Broaden awareness of the need for optimal
broadband service for libraries and to educate stakeholders about possible
approaches to achieving and sustaining this service. 2) Technical Support:
Increase technical support for connectivity upgrades 3) E-Rate: Assist libraries
in evaluating the benefits of e-rate participation and in preparing applications
4) Financial: Mitigate cost barriers, such as infrastructure development and
connectivity fees, to adequate broadband services 5) Sustainability: Establish
sustainability strategies and aggregate efforts for more affordable, faster
Internet connectivity services
What is the structure of this project?
This grant consists of three phases, each with one or more components.
Phase 1- Research –completed December 2008
During this phase, data collection was administered by LRW. All libraries in NY State were asked six questions regarding their Internet connectivity services. Summary and mapping of this data has been made available.
Phase 2- Pre-Grant Processes- completion date mid-November 2009
Component
A: The State Broadband Summit to be held June 3 & 4, 2009 at the Sagamore
Conference Center, Bolton Landing, NY.
Component B: A State sustainability
strategy in the shape of a specific, viable plan to upgrade and sustain robust
broadband in NY State libraries. This plan will be developed as an outgrowth
of the State Broadband Summit and will be integral to NY State receiving Gates
Foundation funding for Phase 3 of the grant.
Component C: NY State will submit a detailed application to the Gates Foundation outlining the specific plans and costs for upgrades to Broadband services by participating libraries.
Note: Until NY’s application is approved by the Foundation, the State and its member libraries are considered pilot project participants rather than grantees.
Phase 3- Grant Implementation – ongoing through project
Component A: Technical Support and Training-This training will address technical barriers to the installation, upgrading and maintenance of broadband Internet service by providing technical support and training to library staff
Component B: E-Rate Application Support- Through a concentration on the quantity and detail of e-rate applications there should be an increase in sustainable funding for broadband Internet connections
Component C: Bridge Funding- Money provided for infrastructure upgrades and increased connectivity costs as outlined in plans developed by participating libraries, contingent upon a 50% match and a local sustainability strategy.
Pilot Project Eligibility and Participation
What factors determined eligibility?
Most libraries need more access. The libraries identified by the Gates Foundation
as needing it most were labeled as eligible. Eligibility was based, generally,
on:
a) completion of the entire Gates Foundation Broadband Assessment Project
survey (administered by the LRW consulting firm) and
b) a reported connection
speed of less than 1.5 Mbps.
What are the benefits of project eligibility?
Initially, eligible libraries will be able to participate in the NY State Broadband Summit. During this Summit, libraries will be able to improve their knowledge of broadband and technical issues, interact with influencers, collaborate in the development of broadband sustainability strategies, and plan for improving their broadband services to their patrons.
What is involved in continued pilot project and grant participation?
Eligible libraries will develop and submit a plan for upgrading and sustaining broadband services for their patrons. This plan will be incorporated into a grant application that will be submitted to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Upon application approval, Opportunity Online Broadband grant funds will be awarded to libraries that will have the option to:
- receive training to improve their knowledge of broadband and technical issues
- obtain technical assistance in upgrading and maintaining quality Internet connection speeds
- participate in E-rate application support and assistance(optional)
- purchase hardware and software infrastructure upgrades to raise their connectivity to speeds greater than or equal to the 1.5Mbps
- secure funding for two years to defray the incremental expense of monthly improved connectivity costs (contingent upon a 50 % match and an accepted sustainability plan)
What is the role of Library Systems in this project?
Library systems will be invited to participate in the NY State Broadband Summit since their involvement is integral to the successful development of a comprehensive broadband upgrade and sustainability plan. Library systems will also, as necessary, provide technical assistance, aggregate and participate in vendor negotiations, make recommendations regarding infrastructure needs and technology options, and offer training to grant participants. Library systems may also be involved in the preparation of e-rate applications on behalf of member libraries.
The New York State Broadband Summit
What is the purpose of the Summit?
The goal of the Summit is to develop strategies that will enable NY State libraries to better serve library patrons with improved broadband connectivity. To achieve this, the Summit will:
- Provide an opportunity for libraries and influencers to collaborate around the need for improved connectivity and approaches towards sustainability
- Help local libraries explore strategies to fund and sustain improved connectivity and to understand their role in the statewide strategic plan
- Initiate strategic plans to build the statewide infrastructure for improved broadband
- Develop tools to communicate the importance of improved connectivity to NY State constituents, including policy makers
- Prepare grant eligible libraries for the next steps of this Opportunity Online Broadband Grant
Who will attend the Summit?
Broadly speaking, there are four types of Summit attendees:
1) Grant eligible libraries: Two people from grant-eligible libraries should attend the Summit: the library director and a local “influencer,” a person with decision making powers regarding broadband funding and policies.
2) Ineligible libraries: A percentage of ineligible libraries will be invited to participate in the Summit. As with eligible libraries, the director may be accompanied by a local influencer.
3) Library System directors and staff: Library systems are integral to this project and will be expected to participate in the Summit.
4) Other Advisory Committee members: State library staff and State officials
Is attendance at the Summit mandatory for eligible libraries?
To maintain eligibility, it is mandatory for the director of an eligible library to attend the Summit. The reason for this requirement is that the Summit is designed to bring people together to reinforce commitments and develop plans for robust, sustainable broadband services in libraries. A director’s absence will undermine an eligible library’s role in this crucial event.
Will exceptions to the director’s attendance be allowed?
The only exceptions are for compelling personal issues such as a serious health issue for the director or immediate family member OR for a long-standing commitment such as a graduation or family wedding. In either case, the director’s deputy, or appropriate designee, must attend along with the community partner.
Who should be invited to attend the Summit with a library director?
The term “local influencer” is fairly broad, leaving identification of this person to a library’s judgment. Generally speaking, an influencer might be a city commissioner, a mayor, a village board member, an influential library supporter- any person who will be active and effective in developing a sustainable broadband plan and/or securing funding for improved broadband services.
Where and when will the Summit be held?
The Summit will be June 3 & 4, 2009 at the Sagamore Conference Center. The Sagamore is located on Lake George at 110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing, New York. The resort is accessible by air to Albany International Airport, by Amtrak to Lake George, and by automobile via the New York State Thruway and Interstate 87, the Northway. More information on the Sagamore is available on the Sagamore website (www.thesagamore.com/resort/index.php). The Summit will start mid-afternoon on June 3 and end in the early afternoon on June 4. Upon finalization of Summit events, a complete agenda for the Summit will be posted on this website.
What is the Summit registration process?
Upon receipt of their Summit invitation, each participant will access the registration portal (www.opportunityonline.org), select New York State on the map, and enter the following access code: 1236-2733-86IR-RUPK
How will expenses for travel to and from the Summit be reimbursed?
See Opportunity Online website (www.opportunityonline.org) for further details supplied by Connected Nation/The Gates Foundation
Broadband Connectivity Grant
How will libraries apply for Broadband Connectivity Grant Funds?
An eligible library will submit a template regarding its planned broadband connectivity improvement project. Included in each template will be: a narrative description of their upgrade project, target new connectivity speed, type of connectivity (DSL, Cable, T1 etc), the incremental cost of the upgrade, intended provider, required infrastructure changes and a detailed timeline. While this template should be started prior to attendance at the NY State Broadband Summit, following the Summit each library will both finalize its template and also supply a draft plan for local efforts towards sustaining the increased costs of this upgrade beyond the life of this grant. The templates of all grant participants will be aggregated into an application the New York State Library will submit on behalf of its public libraries.
What will libraries be able to purchase with the funds from the Online Opportunity Broadband Grant?
Libraries will have the option to:
- receive training to improve their knowledge of broadband and technical issues
- obtain technical assistance in upgrading and maintaining quality Internet connection speeds and in selecting and negotiating service provider contracts
- participate in E-rate application support and assistance(optional)
- purchase necessary hardware and software infrastructure necessary for the improvement of their connectivity to speeds greater than or equal to the 1.5Mbps
- secure funding for two years to defray the incremental expense of monthly improved connectivity costs (contingent upon a 50 % match and an accepted sustainability plan)
Can grant funds be used to pay a library system for assistance in securing a better broadband connection and rate?
Yes. A library system may be paid for help in aggregating or securing a better connectivity rate for libraries or for providing necessary training on hardware, software, system configurations and management etc.
Where can I find suggestions for broadband connectivity choice?
Libraries should solicit input from their Library System technology coordinators to identify options, availability and merits of broadband Internet configurations and providers. Area providers will also supply information regarding service options and availability. WebJunction (www.webjunction.org) has a technology section with information about public access computing and broadband Internet.
Matching Funds
What sources can be used for the required matching funds?
The Opportunity Online Broadband Grant program is designed to help libraries sustain their technology services through the better use of e-rate and community supporters. It is expected that libraries will engage their community and demonstrate the value of high-speed connectivity and public access computing for patrons. A library may draw matching funds from:
- Its existing technology budget,
- Monies received from government entities, including the NY State Library, as long as the funds were earmarked for something technology-related
- Community resources.
- Foundation or corporate gifts
- Trust funds or endowments
It is hoped that libraries will use this grant and the tools associated with it to develop community-based resources.
Note: Federal LSTA funds may not be used as matching funds.
Questions
Whom do I contact if I have questions about Opportunity Online Broadband Pilot Project?
All Library Systems in New York State are assisting their member libraries' participation in this grant. Linda Todd is the NY State Opportunity Online Broadband project administrator and will answer any questions regarding this project. Mary Ann Stiefvater, as grant coordinator, is working directly with library systems and libraries and will also answer any questions. Complete contact information for both Linda and Mary Ann is as follows:
Mary Linda Todd
Division of Library Development
New
York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center 10B41
Albany, New
York 12230
Phone: 518-486-4858 vm; /518-474-7890 Fax: 518-486-5254
mtodd@mail.nysed.gov
Mary Ann Stiefvater
Division of Library Development
New York State Education
Department
Opportunity Online Grant Coordinator
Cell phone: 315-794-5122
mstiefva@mail.nysed.gov or stiefvaterdist@hotmail.com
Additionally, in May 2009, some Library Systems are sponsoring meetings for libraries eligible to participate in the Opportunity Online Broadband Pilot Project. These meetings are designed to further explain the project, to introduce the application template for libraries and to answer questions from potential participants. It is suggested that eligible libraries make every effort to attend one of these meetings.
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