Telecommunications Discounts

Telecommunications Discounts

The E-rate is the common name given to telecommunications discounts available through the Schools and Libraries Division of Universal Service Administrative Company.

Libraries who want to begin the process of filing for the E-rate should visit the Schools and Libraries Division web site. Instructions are available at the site. Application for the discount is completed online via the Internet. If you have any questions related to the E-rate discount, you may call Jerry McCulley at 972.205.2569.

For a comparison chart of list of lowest available rates, click here.

CIPA News and Internet Filtering

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is the third attempt by Congress to restrict access to the Internet. CIPA was signed into law in 2000, however, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ruled on Friday, May 31, 2002 that the sections of the legislation regarding filtering in a public library were unconstitutional. Therefore, public libraries that use E-rate funds for Internet access or Internet connections are not required by law to use a filtering mechanism.

However, a separate section of the law was unaffected. Public libraries still must have a written Internet Safety Policy that addresses the safety and security of minors. The library Internet policy must be adopted through a public meeting and must be in effect as of June 30, 2002. Additional information on CIPA can be found at http://www.ala.org/cipa/.