What is the E-Rate Program?

On May 7, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Universal Service Order implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Order, commonly referred to as "E-Rate" (Education Rate), ensures that all eligible schools and libraries have affordable access to modern telecommunications and information services. Up to $2.25 billion annually was authorized initially to provide eligible schools and libraries with E-Rate discounts. The amount actually allocated by Congress for 1998-99 was $1.9 billion, but the full $2.25 billion has been authorized each year beginning with 1999-2000.

How does the E-Rate Program help New York State Libraries?

The E-Rate Program provides funding to eligible public libraries and public library systems, school library media centers and school library systems, not-for-profit special libraries, and reference and research library resources systems.  For each Program Year (1-10), an average total of 383 libraries and library systems in New York State received an average total of $12 million from the E-Rate Program. This funding helps libraries purchase telecommunications services, Internet connectivity, and internal connections to meet the information needs of New Yorkers.

Year 1 (1998): $17,524,279;  Year 2 (1999): $12,863,403;
Year 3 (2000): $14,851,224; Year 4 (2001): $15,278,087;
Year 5 (2002): $11,384,804; Year 6 (2003): $11,784,590;
Year 7 (2004): $9,850,999; Year 8 (2005): $6,742,135;
Year 9 (2006): $10,841,319; Year 10 (2007): $9,022,751;
Year 11 (2008)*: $10,462,463; Year 12 (2009)**: $8,201,725

*Waves to date 1-74  December 2, 2009
**Waves to date 1-33  December 22, 2009