From the desk of the WVLA Federal Relations Coordinator
*Sharing for our patrons who may wonder what eRate does for your local libraries.
August 21, 2026
Good Afternoon
The Federal Communications Commission published its proposal to potentially eliminate or limit E-Rate funding to rural areas in the Federal Register on August 14, 2026. This formally started the clock on the public's opportunity to share positive thoughts, comments and justifications for why the E-Rate program needs to continue supporting libraries and schools by providing affordable broadband in the United States. The deadline for submitting a comment is October 13, 2026.
West Virginia State Library files the paperwork for E-Rate funds on behalf of most libraries in West Virginia. These E-Rate funds pay for our broadband services, the filters that exist to keep questionable websites from being accessed and IT services when you have an internet issue.
E-Rate funds provide all of our daily internet resources.
Without these funds, each library would become responsible for its own broadband connectivity. Many smaller libraries would find this new monthly cost very difficult if not unsustainable within their budgets. It is imperative that all of us take a few minutes to provide the FCC with comments about how vital E-Rate funds are to libraries in West Virginia.
Here are 2 links that provide tools and resources for submitting a comment to the FCC about
E-Rate and the benefits those funds provide libraries.
This is not just for libraries to submit comments either. This can be shared with everyone. .
Help save E-Rate funding, make a comment today!
Federal Relations Coordinator
West Virginia Library Association
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