What Does the Termination of the Digital Equity Act Grant Programs Mean for Libraries?
Last month, the Digital Equity Act grant programs were cancelled by the Trump Administration. This abrupt cancellation of a congressionally authorized program sent shock waves out to community anchor institutions, including libraries, across the country. “ALA is gravely concerned about the abrupt and illegal end of Digital Equity Act programs and funding. Broadband is a human right, and broadband access is core to modern life and success for school, work, healthcare, civic participation and social connections,” said ALA President Cindy Hohl. Read ALA’s full statement.
The $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act was a part of a coordinated effort to provide high-speed broadband, along with the necessary skills and technology, that communities across the U.S. need to succeed and thrive in our increasingly digital world. For decades, broadband advocates have discussed the importance of a multi-pronged approach to broadband connectivity and closing the digital divide: broadband access, affordability, and adoption. The Digital Equity Act (DEA) delivers the crucial adoption piece of this puzzle. Prior to the announced cancellation, each state had an existing Digital Equity plan and was in the process of implementing their plans based on the needs of their state. The grant programs were designed to complement other broadband investment programs like the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment Grant program (BEAD) – another program sidelined by the Trump Administration. Read more about the Digital Equity Act programs here.
Libraries have been preparing for this one-in-a-generation funding opportunity for years, including leading coalition building efforts, outreach, and asset mapping for the DEA. Looking at state digital equity plans, it isn’t hard to see how central libraries were to plan implementation across the country:
- In Idaho, for example, the Digital Access for All Idahoans plan included Tech Refresh Grants to provide new desktop and laptop computers to public and tribal libraries and needed upgrades to old devices and offer training in cybersecurity, internet use, computer use, and basic technology use across Idaho.
- In Delaware, the DEA State Capacity Grant plan provided funding for libraries to offer tech support to library users and offer digital skills training.
- In Ohio, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library served as the Northwest Ohio Regional Digital Inclusion Alliance Lead for BroadbandOhio, and provided leadership and collaboration in assessing gaps and needs, hosting listening sessions, and providing digital inclusion services and resources.
What’s more, the DEA cancellation comes at a time when funding support for library programs that provide access to the internet, devices, and digital literacy and skills training, is being challenged at the federal level. The U.S. Senate recently passed Congressional Review Act S.J. Res. 7, a measure to overturn the FCC’s E-Rate hotspot lending program. The passage of this resolution puts the program at risk of elimination when libraries and schools are already engaging in contracts and counting on a sustainable funding source for hotspot lending programs. The Administration also attacked the only federal agency dedicated to library funding, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, which provides critical funding to libraries across the country, including funding to library technology and digital skills programming and resources.
We know that the need for reliable internet access, digital skills training, and wi-fi-enabled technology persists. The DEA programs would have brought capacity-building resources to communities all over the United States; these devastating cancellations will hinder our progress toward closing the digital divide and ensuring that all Americans can thrive. Libraries continue to navigate these challenges and provide the digital inclusion supports and resources their communities and library patrons rely on.
ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy team will continue to monitor the Digital Equity Act program developments and we will share regular updates on our Digital Equity Resources webpage, including our new FAQ. If you have information about how these cancellations impact your state or your library, please reach out to us.
To learn more about our digital inclusion work, be sure to check out our programming at ALA Annual Conference, including our annual in-person Digital Inclusion Working Group meet up (Friday at 1:00pm ET; check the schedule for details). All library workers interested in broadband and telecommunications policy, digital inclusion programming, E-Rate, and more, are welcome to attend for informal dialogue and connection with peers.
