ALA encouraged by FCC Chairman’s commitment to a multi-stage E-rate reform

The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) E-rate modernization proceeding is one of the most consequential public policy discussions in a decade. The success of this proceeding is essential to enable libraries and schools to meet the needs of America’s communities in the digital age. The gigabit broadband vision outlined by the President -- and which is a fundamental aspect of the Commission’s E-rate reforms -- is critical to support the indispensable role libraries play in our communities.

The American Library Association (ALA) recognizes the difficult task in front of the Commission to move the E-rate program from basic connections to high-capacity broadband and is supportive of its effort to do so. ALA and libraries also have fully engaged in this challenge with our school colleagues and hundreds of other stakeholders to answer an urgent call to meet 21st century learning demands. And there is broad consensus that we cannot meet these demands with funding that has hardly budged in 18 years. We must establish a sustainable foundation for the future.