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Idaho libraries seek ongoing state authority to continue federal digital-access program
Summary
At a Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee hearing, the Idaho Commission for Libraries described federal grants and a new Digital Access for All Idahoans program and asked lawmakers for ongoing spending authority and modest broadband reimbursements while answering questions about summer reading materials.
The Idaho Commission for Libraries told the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee it is seeking ongoing state spending authority to continue implementing a federal digital-access program and to reimburse libraries for certain broadband costs.
The library commission asked the committee to add $2,500,000 ongoing for the Digital Access for All Idahoans grant, $42,400 ongoing for a broadband reimbursement tied to the Education Opportunity Resource Act (chapter 56, title 33, Idaho Code), and other fund and reappropriation authorities to continue subgrants and capital projects begun with ARPA/IIJA funds. Brooke Dupree, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, and State Librarian Stephanie Bailey White described the grant, how it has been used so far and how the commission plans to distribute future awards.
The request matters because the program aims to reduce barriers to internet access — including affordability, device access and digital skills — by sending most funds to community organizations and…
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