Committee reviews library budget requests, questions federal Digital Access for All Idahoans grant

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Wednesday heard the Idaho Commission for Libraries explain recent federal awards and budget requests, including a multi‑year digital access grant the commission says will be used for devices, subgrants and digital navigators.

The committee’s budget analyst, Brooke Dupree of the Legislative Services Office, told members the commission supports 850 libraries statewide, currently has 35.5 full‑time positions in its base and saw cash receipts spike in fiscal years 2023–24 because of ESSER and ARPA capital funds passed through for summer and after‑school programs. Dupree noted the commission’s FY2026 request includes $2.5 million ongoing to continue the commission’s Digital Access for All Idahoans implementation and an additional $42,400 ongoing for a broadband reimbursement program tied to the Education Opportunity Resource Act (chapter 56, title 33, Idaho Code).

Why it matters: Committee members pressed the agency for specifics because the request would add an ongoing amount into the state base while the underlying funding stream is federal and limited in duration — a practice some members said can create expectations that general fund support will be required after federal awards end.

“We were the third state in the nation to receive our allocation of funds, but they didn't roll in until November,” Stephanie Bailey White, state librarian and director of the Idaho Commission for Libraries, told the committee. She described the delay in receiving federal notices of award and said the commission is now ranking subgrant applications and preparing contracts for community colleges, school districts and nonprofit organizations.

Committee members asked for more detail. Senator Carlson asked for an itemized breakdown of the $6 million program and specific information about summer reading materials after expressing concern about inappropriate content for children. Dupree and Bailey White said the commission would follow up: Dupree offered to provide an itemized plan of the digital access spending and Bailey White said the commission’s youth services consultant selects the paperback books provided under a recent donation and follows collection development criteria.

On program design, Bailey White said about 80% of the Digital Access funds are intended to leave the agency as subgrants to local organizations; the remaining share will support personnel, devices and technical assistance. She said the commission has launched one round of competitive subgrants, received 39 applications and must send ranked applications to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for federal review and approval.

The governor recommends the enhancements requested by the commission. Committee members asked the analyst and the commission for follow‑up materials showing: a) how the digital access funds will be allocated over the award period, b) an itemized accounting of what the commission has spent so far, c) details on summer reading materials distribution and curation, and d) clarification about the timeline for the federal award and the consequence of making any portion ongoing in the state base.

Bailey White closed by offering to speak with committee members individually and by noting the commission’s policy work with the Idaho Broadband Office and local partners to implement digital navigators, device procurement and digital literacy training.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the requests during the hearing; members asked for follow‑up written materials from the analyst and the commission.