Commission for Libraries Leads Nation in Opening Digital Equity Grant Funding Opportunity
As part of the Digital Equity Act’s (DEA) $2.75 billion program, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has begun awarding funds to states to implement their digital equity plans. As of February 2024, all 50 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico have state digital equity plans, and Capacity Grants will fund programs to achieve and sustain each state’s digital equity goals.
The Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) is the only state library agency administering its state planning and implementation, due in part to close-knit relationships in this small state. It’s also one of the first to begin its subgrant process open to eligible applicants, including libraries. We sat down with Deputy State Librarian Dylan Baker to learn more about Idaho’s subgrant application and discuss how libraries can assist states in achieving the goals. While each state has its own process and deadlines for releasing funds, the takeaways here can be applied to libraries seeking or considering state capacity funds across the country.
To learn more about your state’s Digital Equity Plan, check out ALA’s interactive heat map, and for additional digital equity resources and tools, visit ALA Digital Equity Resources for Libraries.
Idaho’s Digital Access for All Idahoans (DAAI) Plan offers three grant opportunities and applicants, depending on eligibility, can apply for multiple programs with application deadlines of December 6, 2024, and December 20, 2024.
What are one or two key things applicants need to consider when applying?
We are trying to act as a bridge between the federal requirements of the grant and the needs and capacity of local organizations in the state. In terms of key things, I’d say applicants should consider what covered populations they already serve or can serve. I would also encourage applicants to apply for the grant program that is the right size and fit for their community needs and what can be accomplished. The Monetary Grant program funding ranges from $10,000-$150,000, and the grant will be offered for multiple years. So, think through what is needed to accomplish goals in each phase of your project. The state plan or executive summary are helpful places to jumpstart ideas.
As a mostly rural state, how are you thinking about the challenges and needs of small entities such as small, rural, and tribal libraries and nonprofits that might apply?
We bring to bear years of experience working with small libraries that often only have a single part-time library director and no grant writer on staff. Libraries and nonprofits have similar capacity challenges, and the subgrant programs were designed to meet applicants where they are. We crafted our grant programs to be very approachable with three grant opportunities and straightforward application questions. If you don’t have the capacity to apply for the Monetary Program now, there are two additional non-monetary grant programs that might best fit your needs where we will send a device to you with curriculum and scaffolding so you can start in a little way that will benefit your community.
We are offering webinars and other forms of technical assistance, such as support documents, that direct applicants to the information needed to make a compelling case for funding. We also tailored the size of the Monetary Grants to meet the unique needs of small and rural communities with a $10,000 floor. Once awarded, subgrantees will have an additional layer of support through a learning cohort.
Can you tell me more about how the ICfL intends to build capacity of subgrantees through the learning cohort?
The learning cohort and the Connect Communities Digital Access Grant Program were informed by a pilot program we designed with a learning cohort. The pilot program cohort held bi-monthly check-ins and attendees shared resources, challenges, and successes. We hope the new ICfL learning cohort fosters a long-term community of practice, especially for those isolated in a large state working in rural areas. We’d like to sustain the cohort when the grants end.
What is the most common challenge you’ve heard from people as you were developing the state plan?
In terms of library-specific challenges, small communities with only one or two library staff members and no dedicated IT department often face staff digital skills challenges. We’ve been working at the state library development agency to increase the digital skills training of library staff and then translate those skills to educate the public. Additionally, libraries offer the only public computers available for miles, and the computers are often outdated. The Tech Refresh Program is designed to address the needs of public and tribal libraries, which haven’t been able to afford new devices, by replacing old devices with new computers that will last for years.
What would you say to a library who may not see how they fit in a state plan?
I would encourage folks to look at the role they play and how participating in their state capacity grant can strengthen the library’s role in their communities. Libraries are a place folks go to for help on a resume and reliable Wi-Fi. This grant is an opportunity to help your community see libraries as what we know them to be — true anchors — and hubs for digital skills and online resources.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
This is a historic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address digital access and skills needs. It’s important to demonstrate the value of libraries in these areas, but it is often hard for libraries to get a seat at the table. It’s important to foster and develop connections. Based on an established connection and state agency capacity, we were asked by the state broadband office to take the lead and be the agency administering the state capacity grant, so you never know where partnerships and connections can lead. We are in regular contact with the broadband office to tie all the work together.
For additional support in preparing for your state’s subgrant process, utilize ALA’s Developing Your State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Funding Program resource. We invite you to join our Digital Inclusion Working Group to connect with fellow library workers and share digital inclusion strategies.
