American Library Association launches national advocacy campaign to fight FCC attack on library funding

CHICAGO (June 25, 2026) – The American Library Association (ALA), along with Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition partners, announced a national advocacy campaign today after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to advance a proposal that asks whether the E-Rate program, which has provided affordable broadband to schools and libraries for nearly 30 years, should be terminated or limited to only rural areas. ALA’s Save Our E-Rate campaign begins as the Association kicks off its 2026 Annual Conference in Chicago (June 25-29), attended by more than 10,000 library workers, publishers, authors, exhibitors and library supporters.  

ALA and the SHLB coalition maintain that E-Rate's success is precisely the reason to sustain it. Connectivity now underpins nearly every function of a modern school or library, from online testing and classroom instruction to book checkout, security systems, transportation, HVAC and other daily building operations. That connectivity endures only because E-Rate continues to support it year after year. Because funding is tied to need, the coalition warned that scaling back the program would hurt schools and libraries across the country, and would hit hardest in lower-income communities, rural and urban alike, that depend on it most, widening the very digital divide that Congress established E-Rate to close.  

ALA President Sam Helmick said, "A fast, reliable internet connection is as necessary for library workers and patrons, educators and students as it is for FCC regulators, but it's not cheap to maintain. Withholding broadband access from learning institutions that rely on it to serve their communities and fulfill their missions is not the answer to the alarming increase in screen time for kids or adults. 

"There is no justification for pulling the plug on E-Rate. E-Rate continues to fulfill the congressional mandate that established it 30 years ago: 'providing affordable access to telecommunications services for all eligible schools and libraries, particularly those in rural and economically disadvantaged areas.' As long as there are Americans who cannot afford or don't have access to a high-speed broadband connection, E-Rate should continue. ALA is rallying the library community to speak clearly and collectively in defense of E‑Rate and the access it provides.”  

While the FCC chose not to respond to requests to remove language from the proposal regarding limiting or ending E-Rate, SHLB and partners appreciate the FCC following its recommendation of extending the comment period for stakeholders to comment on the proceeding. The coalition intends to use every day of that window to fill the record with the voices of the schools, libraries, and communities that depend on E-Rate most. 

SHLB Executive Director Joey Wender said, "Instead of asking whether E-Rate should be terminated, the FCC should be asking how to make it stronger. Today’s vote represents an attack on school and library funding that none of these institutions can afford to lose, particularly in the most disadvantaged rural and urban communities.  

ALA’s campaign is in coordination with SHLB. SaveOurERate.com is a central hub for everyone who depends on the program. The site houses the resources the community needs to get involved, including tools to file comments with the FCC, guidance on how to write to members of Congress and other ways to take action. The coalition urges schools, libraries and the communities they serve to visit the site, make their voices heard and keep returning to it as the proceeding moves forward. 

SHLB and ALA will also host a free webinar on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 2pm ET to break down the proposal and walk stakeholders through how to make their voices heard.  

Media Availability 
ALA President Sam Helmick is available for interviews.  

About the American Library Association   
The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.