In response to Cliff's request for comments from other libraries that are looking at small phone bills, this is the case for the Hastings Public Library. Our bill is very similar to the Sullivan County rate of $70 for phone. Our local internet supplier is presently providing the service free of charge (he is very supportive of libraries and serves on the board of another small town library). As our board's representative to investigate the erate, I have spent countless hours monitoring this list, researching internet info, etc. Although I've learned a lot, and it has got me thinking about joining forces with the middle school located in Hastings and the small rural hospital which will be built here in the future, the benefits of the discount at this point in time are hard to envision. I seem to remember that the next round of applications will begin in July 1998. Perhaps for the small libraries, we need to keep abreast of what happens with the libraries that apply for this round, and look at what other services we could provide that we would not otherwise be able to offer so that we can apply in July 1998. Does this sound reasonable to others on the list? +--------------------------------------------------------------------- =A6 1847---"Touching Three Centuries"---1997 =A6 =A6 Barbara C. Doll =A6 =A6 Special Collections/Records Manager Voice: 814.472.3163 =A6 =A6 Pasquerilla Library Fax: 814.472.3154 =A6 =A6 Saint Francis College Email: bdoll@sfcpa.edu =A6 =A6 Loretto, PA 15940-0600 WebSite: www://sfcpa.edu =A6 +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ "I dream of a library with no boundaries other than the world itself." Erasmus, 13th century humanist