DATE:
May 23, 2023
28
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
AMEND AT&T WIFI SERVICES AND ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS FOR EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On October 25, 2021, County Library was awarded $4.3 million, from the Federal Communications Commission's Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program, in order to provide equipment and wireless internet service to patrons who have limited access to devices and the internet. Of that $4.3 million, $1.4 million was designated and used to purchase 7,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot devices and data services. The remaining amount was used to purchase 7,000 Google Chromebooks. The County Library bundled the 7,000 Google Chromebooks and 7,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots into what the Library called, "Tech Connect" kits for distribution. Devices were made available to members of the public with a library card to check out free of charge for up to one year. The ECF program is one of many ways the County is focused on closing the digital divide.
Distribution of the Tech Connect kits began on June 15, 2022, throughout the 33 County branch library locations. In order to ensure that the Tech Connect kits are distributed equitably amongst communities that have no access or limited access to internet-enabled devices and broadband services, the County Library and its respective branches have collaborated with more than 100 community-based organizations, tribal reservations, and county-wide partners such as Aging & Independence Services, Department of Child Support Services, and Library High School, where adults can earn their high school diploma online. County residents can also check-out Tech Connect kits at their local County branch library. The County Library closely monitors the check-out data of the Tech Connect kits and adjusts distribution accordingly. As of April 30, 2023, 92% (6444 Chromebooks and Wi-Fi devices) of Tech Connect kits have been checked out, and 56% of those individuals wer...
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