State library seeks continued federal digital-access funding as lawmakers probe summer-reading materials

The Idaho Commission for Libraries told the Joint Finance for Appreciation Committee that it seeks continued spending authority for federal digital-access funds and outlined how the agency will distribute subgrants to communities.

Brooke Dupree, a budget and policy analyst with the legislative services office, told the committee the agency’s request includes $42,400 ongoing for broadband reimbursement under the Education Opportunity Resource Act (chapter 56, title 33, Idaho Code) and an ongoing $2,500,000 request tied to the federal Digital Access for All Idahoans grant. Dupree said the agency expects additional notices of award and that the federal allocation can be expended over multiple years; she noted the agency expects funds related to that grant to be available through "02/1932" as described in the presentation.

Why it matters: Committee members pressed for details because continuing a federal program inside the state base can create a long-term expectation of state-funded continuation if federal dollars end. Senator Groh and others asked whether the request could be structured as one-time authority rather than ongoing. Dupree and state librarian Stephanie Bailey White said predictability helps planning and local partners but acknowledged uncertainty about future notices of award from NTIA.

What the agency said about implementation: Stephanie Bailey White, state librarian and director of the Idaho Commission for Libraries, said Idaho was "the third state in the nation to receive our allocation of funds, but they didn't roll in until November," and that about 80% of the funds are planned to go out through competitive subgrants to community colleges, school districts, libraries and nonprofit organizations. She said applicants (39 organizations applied in the first round) will be vetted with a rubric, the commission will rank and submit selections to NTIA/NIST for federal approval, and subgrantees will report to the commission with interim and final reports.

Questions on summer reading and materials: Several lawmakers requested more detail on how summer-reading materials and prizes are selected after concerns were raised about book content. Senator Carlson told the commission, "I think most of you know that I, don't care for some of the material that's been provided to kids," and asked who chooses giveaway books. Bailey White said the commission’s youth services consultant (a certified librarian) has selected the paperback books made possible by a donation from the Scottish Rite Foundation (about $17,500 this year), following collection-development criteria and a disclaimer included with distributions. She said the commission provides manuals, posters and modest support for local summer-reading programs and that 107,000 children participated in library summer-reading last year, a 30% increase over the prior year.

Program details and follow-up: Dupree and library staff told the committee the digital-access plan covers barriers such as affordability, digital skills, device access and cybersecurity awareness. The plan funds digital navigators, device purchases (laptops for subgranting to libraries), digital-skills curriculum and tech support for local organizations. Committee members requested an itemized breakdown of past and planned spending, and Dupree and Bailey White agreed to provide more detailed expenditure and program plans to the committee.

Ending: The committee requested follow-up on (1) an itemized history of digital-access spending and a multi-year plan for remaining grant years, and (2) documentation about the summer-reading distribution process and titles supplied through the Scottish Rite donation. The agency agreed to provide those materials.