Idaho libraries seek sustained federal digital-access funding as summer-reading questions arise

Idaho Commission for Libraries Director Stephanie Bailey White told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Oct. 24, 2025, that the commission is requesting ongoing state spending authority tied to a federal Digital Access for All Idahoans grant and an increase in broadband reimbursement to cover more eligible libraries.

The request stems from a federal allocation made under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and administered through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). "We've launched subgrants... 80% of the funds are planned to go out through subgrants to Idaho organizations," Bailey White said, describing plans to fund digital navigators, tech support, device purchases and digital-skills training in communities across the state.

The request matters because committee members said making the federal funding "ongoing" in the state budget could create an expectation that state general funds will replace federal dollars once the grant ends. Committee chair raised that concern, asking whether the money could instead be appropriated on a one-time basis and reviewed annually.

Officials and analysts said the grant is federal and that the commission expects additional notices of award over time. Brooke Dupree, the legislative budget analyst presenting the commission's budget, said the Digital Access for All Idahoans grant is available to the commission through "02/1932" as the agency has described the award timeline, and that the request for ongoing spending authority reflects an expectation of further federal notices of award. The agency told the committee it expects to be able to spend up to $2,500,000 per year to support subgrants, coordination and devices over the five-year implementation window discussed in the hearing.

Committee members pressed for more detail about how funds will be used. Bailey White said the first round of subgrant applications numbered 39 and will be scored competitively; 80% of the funds are intended to be distributed to grantees such as community colleges, school districts and nonprofit organizations. "They're going to be hiring digital navigators, beefing up digital skills, providing tech support for people in communities who don't have access to that now," she said.

Lawmakers also raised questions about summer-reading programs. Senator Carlson said he had been told some material distributed in summer-reading programs was inappropriate and asked how those books are selected. Bailey White responded that summer-reading programming in Idaho public libraries is funded through Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds and the commission provides manuals, posters and a small quantity of paperback books—some purchased with a donation from the Scottish Rite Foundation ($17,500 in the most recent year). "We have 107,000 kids who participated in summer reading programs last year," Bailey White said, adding that the commission is "hyper conscious" of selections and that local libraries curate their own collections using established collection-development criteria.

Analysts and the commission staff agreed to follow up with detailed information requested by legislators: an itemized plan for the digital-access expenditures and a breakdown of how summer-reading materials are distributed and chosen. The governor’s budget office recommended the commission’s enhancement requests.

The commission’s staff introduced themselves at the hearing; Deputy State Librarian Dylan Baker and manager Jamie Smith were present to take questions. The committee asked the commission and the analyst to provide more detailed spending plans and historical spending data before further appropriation action.

The commission did not receive an immediate legislative vote in the hearing; staff said follow-up materials would be provided to the committee.