[SCLA] Fw: ALA Advocacy: E-Rate Needs Your Voice NOW

Thu Jun 25 14:39:52 EDT 2026

Colleagues,

Please see the call to action below from ALA regarding proposed changes to the E-Rate program. E-Rate is an important federal program that makes WiFi and broadband access affordable for libraries on Long Island and across the Country.

Best,
Kerri

Kerri Ann Souto (she/her/hers)
Government and Community Relations Coordinator
Suffolk Cooperative Library System
627 N. Sunrise Service Road
Bellport, NY 11713
631-286-1600 Ext. 1333

________________________________
From: ALA Public Policy & Advocacy <advocacyaction at ala.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2026 2:24 PM
To: Kerri Souto <kerri at suffolknet.org>
Subject: ALA Advocacy: E-Rate Needs Your Voice NOW

The FCC is raising questions about the existence of E-Rate. We need Congress to protect it. Take action today!
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Hi Kerri,

Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to introduce a proposal that questions whether to continue the federal program that has made high-speed broadband and Wi‑Fi affordable for public libraries and schools nationwide: the FCC is threatening to terminate the E-Rate program.

The FCC’s plan raises questions about the scope and size of the program, the communities it serves, and how E-Rate recipients should address concerns about excessive screen time.

Here is the good news: this is a proposal, not a decision. We are fighting this proposal on two fronts:

  *   The agency:  ALA will file comments on behalf of the library community to ensure that the FCC’s questions – and libraries’ answers – are on the record.
  *   Congress: Library advocates must tell Congress how important this program is to their constituents. Congress has the authority over the E-Rate program and can help to ensure the FCC doesn’t overextend their power.

Contact your members of Congress today <https://link.quorumtracking.com/f/a/AQQ6oXu0UsSl2X-3JudFow~~/AACYXxA~/YMNyNbNCCJ5en8bFxVvrjIICgmaRoUDMGwmqxcrCIQaE0Zkglg0XKAkuIGtyuOjWROZHd3XADMFA2bmblXqpsXZv585APoGmXazMLUjwbxbgZZ8bn1YGSetum6zp7q1yorQiz3tz8czrL5RkilhF6Q~~>

ALA President Helmick put it so succinctly when they said<https://link.quorumtracking.com/f/a/VGfWp9EoDMubcN_lrtGvrQ~~/AACYXxA~/GJF3aKvQ04DYAsvtg1-_avS9mAH8D0ClF5-GYelCiY_yAV5ljI1oP2PZgVMnQkJL8zrSb3a--X7Xd3qO3yiwlQGqf5zvEONdNLzkgl0NtC7sX1t4DMvQTQuuDILoyUCRXInS91oIXhy25-E4ipJW7g~~>:

“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."

Tell Congress to #SaveOurERate <https://link.quorumtracking.com/f/a/AQQ6oXu0UsSl2X-3JudFow~~/AACYXxA~/YMNyNbNCCJ5en8bFxVvrjIICgmaRoUDMGwmqxcrCIQaE0Zkglg0XKAkuIGtyuOjWROZHd3XADMFA2bmblXqpsXZv585APoGmXazMLUjwbxbgZZ8bn1YGSetum6zp7q1yorQiz3tz8czrL5RkilhF6Q~~>

Your voice counts. Your message could keep E-Rate in place and ensure libraries that need help paying their broadband bill can get the funding to keep it. Thanks for staying connected with our ALA advocacy network!

Lisa Varga

Chief Advocacy Officer, American Library Association

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ALA Public Policy & Advocacy Office
Washington, D.C.
Phone: (202) 628-8410

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