E-Rate and Universal Service

Show Up For E-Rate, American Library Association

E-Rate is under attack: Help protect what connects us.
Contact Congress TODAY and tell them to #SaveOurERate.

Tell Congress to Save Our E-Rate!

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Submit comments to the FCC

The FCC has officially published its new proposal for the E-Rate program in the federal register: that means it's time for us to make our voices heard. Use ALA's template to submit formal comments to the FCC reminding the agency how our communities rely on E-Rate discounts to keep people connected. Comments are due at midnight Eastern time on Tuesday, October 13. 

"Show Up for E-Rate: Host a Congressional visit at your library" document preview

Show Congress E-Rate at your library

Congress needs to hear the message loud and clear from their constituents: E-Rate is essential for our communities. You can take your advocacy one step further by inviting your members of Congress or other elected officials for a tour of your library, showing them the range of services enabled by E-Rate powered broadband service. Use our new library tour tool to guide your planning as you bring Congress to your library!

E-Rate and Libraries: Equitable Broadband Connectivity

The Federal Communication Commission’s Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Program (E‑Rate) is a cornerstone federal program that has transformed the public library’s information technology landscape. Established by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, E‑Rate advances digital equity, enabling lifelong learning, and supporting libraries as trusted community anchor institutions. Discounts for libraries and K-12 schools range from 20-90 percent. Today, virtually all of our nation’s libraries offer internet access to the public.  

E-Rate support enables libraries to:

  • Provide free public internet access for education, workforce development, healthcare access, and civic engagement 
  • Support Wi‑Fi access throughout library facilities 
  • Serve patrons who lack reliable broadband at home 
  • Maintain secure, resilient networks in the face of growing cyber threats 

For many libraries—especially rural, small, and Tribal libraries—E‑Rate funding can mean the difference between limited connectivity and meaningful digital access. 

The American Library Association has been a leading advocate for E‑Rate since the program’s inception, working with Congress, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and coalition partners to ensure the program meets the evolving connectivity needs of libraries of all types and sizes. 

Summary of Positions

  • ALA promotes sustainable, predictable, and long-term funding for the E-Rate program and the Universal Service Fund (USF) so libraries can continue to meet growing technology and connectivity needs.  
  • ALA advocates for continued efforts of the FCC to simplify and improve the E-Rate process, reduce barriers for library applicants, and increase public library participation in the program. 
  • ALA affirms the important role libraries play in providing internet access and digital services and promotes policies that enable libraries to serve their communities and counter the digital divide.ErateIcon400x400

30 Years of E-Rate: Then and Now

Over the past three decades, the E‑Rate program has evolved from supporting basic telephone service and early internet access into a cornerstone of library broadband policy. When E‑Rate launched in the 1990s, libraries were just beginning to provide public internet access, often through shared dial‑up or low‑speed connections. Today, libraries rely on E‑Rate to deliver high‑capacity broadband, facility‑wide Wi‑Fi, and increasingly secure networks that support digital learning, workforce development, telehealth access, and civic engagement. Throughout this evolution, the American Library Association has consistently advocated for policies that reflect how libraries actually serve their communities—pushing for modernization, equity, and sustainability so that E‑Rate continues to meet both current demands and emerging needs in the decades ahead. 

1996-1998: E-Rate Inception

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 established the statutory foundation to support affordable telecommunications and internet access for eligible entities, including libraries -- —an outcome strongly supported by early ALA advocacy emphasizing libraries’ role as essential access points for information and connectivity. 

As the FCC implemented the new program, ALA engaged extensively in the early rulemaking process, supporting: 

  • Clear eligibility standards for libraries 
  • A need‑based discount structure 
  • Administrative processes accessible to libraries with limited staff capacity 

The FCC’s first E‑Rate Order reflected these priorities, launching the program with a discount matrix designed to support both urban and rural applicants. 

2014-2015: E-Rate Modernization

As broadband needs evolved, ALA supported modernization efforts to ensure E‑Rate remained relevant and effective. Through comments, advocacy coalitions, and direct FCC engagement, ALA urged a shift toward: 

  • High‑speed broadband as the program’s core focus 
  • Funding for Wi‑Fi and internal connections, not just connectivity to the building 

The FCC’s Modernization Orders refocused the program accordingly, helping libraries ensure reliable connectivity throughout their facilities. 

2022-Present: Preparing E-Rate for the Future

ALA continues to advocate for thoughtful E‑Rate reform to address emerging policy challenges, including: 

  • Off‑campus connectivity, recognizing that many library users depend on access beyond library walls 
  • Equitable participation for Tribal libraries and Tribal college libraries, acknowledging unique access barriers and funding needs 
  • Cybersecurity, urging policymakers to consider how E‑Rate can better support secure networks and protect patron data 
  • Universal Service Fund Reform to ensure that E-Rate has sustainable, predictable, and long-term funding for the next 30 years.

These efforts reflect ALA’s commitment to ensuring E‑Rate supports secure, scalable, and future‑ready connectivity for libraries nationwide. 

Recent Advocacy

For our full history of E-Rate filings, please see our Correspondence Archive

Related Resources and Tools

Learn More & Get Involved

ALA works closely with library advocates, policymakers, and coalition partners to strengthen the E‑Rate program. Members are encouraged to: 

  • Participate in ALA advocacy efforts 
  • Share E‑Rate success stories from their communities 
  • Stay engaged on FCC proceedings and legislative developments 

E‑Rate works because libraries advocate for it. ALA will continue to lead that fight. 

Staff Contact

Megan Janicki
Deputy Director, Strategic Initiatives
mjanicki@alawash.org