Library Technology

The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund makes discounts available to eligible schools and libraries for telecommunication services, Internet access and internal connections. For more information, visit to SLD’s website.

Louisiana Public Libraries and E-rate
In FY 2009-2010, Louisiana public libraries successfully applied for and received commitments of close to $5 million in E-rate funding. Louisiana is one of the few states where 100% of the public libraries file for E-rate funding.

E-rate Timeline
Funding Year:  July 1 through the following June 30 (non-recurring services through the following September 30)

Form 470:  Posted at least 28 days before the filing of the Form 471, keeping in mind (1) the timeframe for compliance with all competitive bidding requirements and (2) the Form 471 application filing window opening and closing dates

Form 471 window:  Early November to early February preceding the start of the Funding Year (exact dates for each funding year will be posted on the website)

Form 471:  Received or postmarked no later than 11:59 PM EST on the day of the close of the Form 471 application filing window (exact date will be posted on the website)

Form 486:  Received or postmarked no later than 120 days after the date of the Funding Commitment Decision Letter or 120 days after the Service Start Date, whichever is later

Form 472 / Form 474:  Received or postmarked no later than 120 days after the date of the Form 486 Notification Letter or 120 days after the last date to receive service, whichever is later

Appeals:  Received or postmarked no later than 60 days after the date of the SLD decision letter

E-rate Forms
Applying Online
Paper forms and instructions

E-rate Discount Information
For assistance obtaining Library Discounts for 2014-15, please e-mail Jeffrey Courouleau in Library Development or call 225-342-4931.
SLD’s Discount Matrix

E-rate Tools and Resources
Client Service Bureau: call 1-888-203-8100 or e-mail
Eligible Services List
Invoice Deadlines and Extension Requests
Service Delivery Deadlines and Extension Requests
Technology Plans

E-rate News
Schools and Libraries News Briefs

FCC
Federal Communications Commission
Library FCC Registration #s
Obtaining an FCC Registration Number

After you have received your Funding Commitment Decision Letter and the funding has been approved, then you must complete the Form 486.  This form must be done before the service provider can begin invoicing.  It is a very simple form to complete:

1. Go to http://www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp
2. Under 486, click Create Form 486. (*Note:  There have been some glitches in the system when trying to early file in the 486 Interview format, so it’s best to use the Create Form format.)
3. Enter your Billed Entity Number. 
4. Enter your contact information.
5. Click 6A for Early Filing (if completing before July 1).
6. Type in the FRN, SPIN, and Service Start Date—These come directly from the funding letter.
7. Check 8 (The certified TPA in the drop down box is the State Library of Louisiana.), 9, 10, and 11A. 
8. Fill in your contact info again.
9. Print, submit, and then certify your form.

Disconnect Notice

If you are changing service providers from AT&T, then you must give AT&T 30 DAYS NOTICE to disconnect your service.  To do so, email the following information to your account team:

Customer Name:
Complete Street Address: 
BDOT Service ID: 
Date Service Can be Disconnected:
Contact Name, Number, and email address for Disconnect Confirmation:

Invoicing Information:

STOP!  Before you try to set up your invoicing method, you MUST complete the Form 486. 

AT&T E-rate Center - This page lists the contact information for each AT&T SPIN.

Technology Plans

Only schools and libraries requesting Priority 2 services (Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections) must have an approved technology plan.  The plan must contain the following elements:

1. Goals and strategies for using technology
2. Professional development
3. Needs assessment
4. Evaluation process 

Other requirements:

• The technology plan must be written before you file the 470.
• It must cover all 12 months of the funding year.
• It cannot cover more than 3 years.

Resources
Questions to Consider in Technology Planning
WebJunction Technology Planning
Writing Your Technology Plans  - Presentation from workshop put on at Staff Day.

DNS:

Email: