FCC and Affordable Internet for Public Libraries
On June 25, 2026 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to advance a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" that could lead to the elimination or reduction of the federal E-Rate program. The E-Rate program provides 20%-90% discounts on high-speed broadband for schools and libraries to ensure that students and educators have access to high-speed internet.
Impact in Ohio
|
Location |
Funding Year 2024 |
Funding Year 2025 |
|---|---|---|
|
Statewide |
$73,728,478 |
$64,443,238 |
|
Public Libraries |
$4,963,202 |
$3,464,273 |
Why is the FCC proposing the change?
The brief description for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking states that the FCC "seeks to ensure that E-Rate-funded networks and services are being used for educational purposes, while strengthening E-Rate program integrity and streamlining program administration to support learning opportunities," but the 86-page document goes into other questions, including:
- "whether Congress intended E-Rate to operate indefinitely" (paragraph 12)
- "would there be an impact on schools’ and libraries’ ability to afford these services if the E-Rate program was terminated or limited" (paragraph 18)
People rely on Ohio Libraries for Internet Access
Last year, public computers in Ohio public libraries were used over 6 million times, and there were 19.5 million public wi-fi sessions in our public libraries. State and local budgets cannot absorb the deficit if E-Rate is reduced or eliminated.
Ohio Library Telecommunications Funding
The Ohio Public Library Information Network has an annual budget is $5.5 million, and $2.5 million of that budget pays for internet access to the 251 public libraries in our state. OPLIN pays for a circuit to each public library system as well as the internet access to all library locations. OPLIN receives E-Rate reimbursements of approximately $1.5 million on those services.
Any limitation to the E-Rate program would result in a direct, significant impact to all public libraries in our state. Difficult choices would have to be made at both the state and local levels, like limiting bandwidth or eliminating other services.
Partners and Next Steps
American Library Association (ALA) Resources:
- ALA Save our E-Rate site provides an easy way to contact legislators and sign up for alerts.
- Show Up For E-Rate: A guide to planning a congressional visit at your library.
Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) Resources:
- SHLB Save our E-Rate site has collected more information and a link to the federal docket to provide comments
- Letter to the FCC from SHLB
More Information
Contact Christine Morris or Don Yarman with any questions you may have about this news item.