First-round rules for broadband stimulus program hinder libraries

The American Library Association Washington sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of Commerce Larry Strickling Friday stating that the first-round Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) to implement the Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program (BTOP) raises significant concerns and creates hurdles for libraries considering applying for broadband funding.

According to the ALA, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) gives libraries, as anchor institutions, priority, but the NOFA in effect de-prioritizes libraries and discourages them from applying for funding in a number of ways...