ALA Applauds Critical Changes to E-rate to Include Wi-Fi Hotspots

WASHINGTON -- Today, the American Library Association (ALA) expressed support for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) draft Order outlining the rules for a hotspot lending program for libraries and schools within the E-rate program. The FCC plans to vote on this Order at its upcoming July 18 meeting. The hotspot lending program is a component of the FCC’s Learn Without Limits initiative. Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced this program at ALA Annual Conference in 2023.

Almost half of public libraries (46.9%) currently offer hotspots for checkout, according to new data from the Public Library Association to be released July 9. This is up 14.4% from a 2020 PLA survey, reflecting how libraries are using hotspots and other technologies to close the digital divide and support their communities with off-premises Wi-Fi access. If approved, the new Order would provide E-rate funding to advance and expand these digital equity efforts. “Libraries are experts in lending resources and connecting their community with needed resources. We applaud the FCC for updating guidelines from the previous Emergency Connectivity Fund in this draft Order to leverage this expertise in developing local circulation practices and protecting patron privacy. By removing some recordkeeping burdens, more libraries will be able to take advantage of this important program,” said ALA President Emily Drabinski.

Hotspot lending programs help students complete assignments and communicate with teachers, classmates, and online learning tools; jobseekers prepare for and take certification exams needed for career pathways, apply for jobs, and engage with online content needed to advance their careers; adult learners and English learners complete assignments, study for and take the GED, and engage with online learning tools; and families connect with social services and resources, family and friends, and participate in civic, social, and community-based activities. “Now that Affordable Connectivity Program funding is no longer available to support home broadband and device purchases, libraries will be more critical than ever to support internet access. While hotspots will help to address urgent internet needs for many, they are not a replacement for affordable home internet,” said Drabinski.

“ALA advocates have worked tirelessly to streamline E-rate and make program rules more inclusive and actionable, and today we celebrate this opportunity to leverage the E-rate program for 21st century connectivity needs,” said Drabinski. For further information and resources related to the hotspot lending program, visit ALA’s Learn Without Limits webpage. For conferencegoers in San Diego, plan to attend The Future is Universal: Inclusive Changes to E-rate on Sunday, June 30th at 2:30pm PT. Moderated by ALA’s E-rate Task Force Chair, Lauren Abner, panelists include officials from the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau and library E-rate experts from around the country.