The upcoming WebJunction Webinar E-rate for Beginners is scheduled for Wednesday 2/2/2011 beginning at 12:00 PM Central Time.

Have you heard of the federal E-rate program, but aren’t sure if it is the right choice for your library? This program is a great opportunity for libraries to receive discounts on telecommunications and Internet access, but applicants are sometimes nervous about program complexity. However, recent changes in program rules streamlined the application process for many libraries.

This one-hour webinar will cover the basics of E-rate including the overall program, the application process and filing deadlines. Greg Weisiger and Donna Mattingly from E-rate Central will provide participants with the tips and tricks to a successful application and also save time at the end of the presentation for general questions.

For more information and to register visit L2.

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will release a record wave of funding commitment decision letters (FCDLs) to Funding Year 2010 school and library applicants next Wednesday May 26. USAC is sending more than 18,200 letters committing more than $429 million in Universal Service Fund support.

(From USAC press release dated May 18)

Due to adverse weather conditions in many areas of the country that may have prevented applicants from filing their FY2010 E-rate applications by the close of the window, USAC–in consultation with the FCC–has extended the close of the filing window to FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19 at 11:59 pm EST. All FCC Forms 471 electronically filed or postmarked by that date and time will be considered IN WINDOW.

If your deadline for delivery and installation of non-recurring services was September 30, 2009, submit your invoices (BEAR Forms 472 or SPI Forms 474) to USAC by NEXT THURSDAY January 28. You will have to request an invoice deadline extension if you miss this deadline.

If you plan to file your Form 470 on paper, make sure USAC will RECEIVE it by next Thursday, January 7, 2010. USAC will make every effort to get your Form 470 posted by the January 14 deadline if they receive it by January 7, but USAC may not be able to post forms in time to meet program requirements if they are received after that date.

USAC released FY2009 Wave 26 Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs) this past Tuesday. This wave includes commitments for approved Priority 2 requests (Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections) at 85% and above. As of October 30, FY2009 commitments total over $1.2 billion. Check to see if you have a commitment by using USAC’s Automated Search of Commitments tool.

(From USAC’s Schools and Libraries News Brief, October 30)

You can file your Form 470 now for FY2010 if you have the details necessary to describe the services you are requesting. You do not have to wait for the opening of the Form 471 application filing window to post or certify a Form 470.

(From USAC’s Schools and Libraries News Brief for 10/9/09)