Universal Service: Pennsylvania
Comments on Survey #1

While I answered no to the first three questions, I am currently working on the technology plan and inventory. You really need a third choice: how many of us are "in process" with these projects! I think most public libraries are in the middle of drafting their plans at the moment. That is why we have questions and why we are seeking models, examples, advice, etc.
- Laurie Tynan

Anything that will free us from the constant reworking of our technology plan will be welcome. The "no" response to the inventory question is typical. We have taken numerous inventories, but not one for this application. We will, of course.
- James Witt

Our Board of Directors formed a Technology Committee. A grant application to create a Technology Plan was submitted. No word yet on the application. An inventory of equipment was completed. We work with the local university and school district in technology ventures and go to them or the local network for technical assistance. We feel lost in the ocean with a lot of this information and no one on staff to interpret it for us.
- Diane Whitaker

The technology plan is "in process" and not complete. Technology for public libraries is run through the District Center (Aliquippa) and the Technical Services consultatnt at headquarters (Monaca); tech support for local school districts is done independantly of either the District Library Center or System Library Headquarters.
- Lawrence Silverstein

It is still not clear how the consortium's are to be formed How will the discounts be determined if the bandwidth for ISP service is aggreagated. Who determines the best Infrastructure for a consortium? What happens when the bid requirements are placed on the "bid server" for four weeks. How we sort out legitimate providers from those that are low cost but probably will not be able to deliver the services that we require?
- George Zook

While we do have a technology plan and inventory almost ready to go, I am finding difficult to get away from computer emergencies in order to complete the writing of the document. Fortunately, we will have an outside computer services firm fixing things soon!
- Scott Bohon

We are part of the Allegheny County Electronic Information Network.
- Diane Yates

Unsure of status of L2L Consortium with Higher Ed and Basic Ed
- Robert Little

I have not responded to the survey questions because I believe my Library Professional can best answer all of the questions. I am really interested in reading all of the email in re Universal Service so I can share the information with my state and national organizations.
- Sara Jane Cate

We are in the process of reviewing all the information we can concerning the e-rate.
- Arnold Indictor

Concerned that the consortium to which our library belongs, MCLINC, may have a problem with the timing of its existing contract with Bell Atlantic.
- Eleanor Erskine

We are confused as to how the application is to be made, in what form, to whom, and when?
- Jay Warshawsky

Awaiting further instrcution. When will applications be ready and where will they be sent?
- Bob Bifano

We have found the entire initiative to be confusing and overwhelming. Until this online seminar began, we had only rumor and bits and pieces of articles from magazines and newletters concerning the plan. We appreciate any help we have been able to get.
- Jane Grady

Our existing consortium is the Electronic Information Network for Public Libraries in Allegheny County. We hope to be able to apply for E-rates for the network for the enitre group.
- Dan Iddings

Do I understand correctly that Tech Plans which have been approved by the state for the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund grant will be grandfathered as ok for the e-rate grant even if they do not contain a technology inventory? (Because we did a survey as part of the Link to Learn application process last year?) I believe I heard John Bailey say that at Harrisburg earlier this month.
- Forrey Joe

as with many small rural libraries, we have neither the staff nor the time to do all that is required of us in order to meet the requirements. I suspect that the larger better staffed libraries will once again get the advantages and small libraries will either be left behind, or have to spend time and money they do not have to try to meet the requirments
- Diane Ziegler

At this point it seems that the process is unnecessarily complex.
- Jack Finnerty

The more information I read, the less I feel this is worth the time. We rely on volunteers to help with the technology part of providing services. Our technology plan is being developed based on a strategic plan we developed several years ago. Someone else mentioned that the public just isn't that interested. We find that to be true in our area. Perhaps we just need to get them excited about it.
- Barbara Doll

We are part of a public library consortium and expect to get the discounts for Internet access and wide area networking (broadband telecom) through the consortium. We will pay a quarterly fee to the consortium for operating costs which include these services. We are very concerned about establishing the eligibility of the consortium as telecom and Internet costs are approximately one fourth of the annual operating costs of the consortium. The only discounts we will apply for on our own are plain old telephone service (POTS). That discount will be only several hundred dollars a year.
- Mary Lou Troy

I have answers these questions based on responses from the Wellsboro School District's Technology Administrator. Tioga County is very rural - more deer than people. Funding and access are big issues.
- Karen Norton

I completed this questionaire, because you seemed anxious to get it, and our library director has been away. It is likely you will also receive one from her as soon as she returns. I'm a member of the library board.
- Wes Fasnacht

This whole process is so complicated and worded in such technical language as to make it nearly impossible for the average person to understand. In addition, I have yet to see any application form. You ask where our library would go for technical advice and in our case we must pay a computer sales and consulting company to come in and help us. For a small, rural public library that is often just not possible.
- Lois Strycula

Note: I work in the MIS department at the BCIU, but I am helping the Muhlenberg Community Library with their Universal Service discount application. We are currently working with Reading Public Library in preparation to sending in the form(s).
- Frank Rapp

I will not be completing a request on behalf of this agency. It will be the responsibility of someone else. I am following the "conversations" closely because of my interest at the Administrator of State Aid to Public Libraries in Pennsylvania.
- Carol Colyer

Keep it Simple!
- David Dubble

Our District Library Center Consultant has offered to help us write our Technology Plan, and Commonwealth Libraries has given us a model. We lack the technological expertise on staff to know the universe of what is, or is becoming, available. My only source for that info is vendors. I wish for a more objective source of information on networking solutions for a rural county with dispersed population and scant resources.
- Patricia Lawson

We are currently attempting to implement an automation system for the 10 libraries and 1 bookmobile in our system. This automation system will run on a MAN and allow all the system members to use e-mail as well as check out/in books, consult the "card" catalog, register new library card holders and eventually access the Internet. All of our technology inventory and plans are in the documentation prepared by a consultant for this automation system. We have not addressed the telecommunication rates for several reasons. The most important being that we have not reached the point in our automation system where we know what type of telecommunications service we will be using and probably won't until the end of this year. The second is that we have a diverse population and some of our libraries are in areas where they would get very large discounts and others would get the minimum (I submitted an FAQ on this point but it was not posted) and I am not sure how to handle the applications and no one I have asked has been able to give me an answer. We would like to be able to take advantage of the discounts but I am afraid we will not be in a position to apply by January and will miss out in 1998.
- Diann Roper

We are anxious to obtain the Pa Applications for the Universal Services Discounts which we have not received as yet
- madeline miles

Districts are confused about the technology plan and what is required. Districts need a step by step process to complete appplications. The informational and technical assistance is not readily available to schools. Are districts truly getting discounts and funds to fully develop a comprehensive technology program? Most districts feel this is a waste of time. They may not say it publically but that is the general tone.
- Rod Farrell

I cannot effectively answer the questions in this survey since I do not work at a school district; however, I can say that my local school district here in Dallas seems to have a clearly defined technology plan, and have hired capable people to implement it.
- Kirk Givens

As an entity of state government, my telecommunications are procured with state contracts. While I am in the process of completing my Technology Plan, there has been no decision as to who will review the State Library's plan. While PDE reviews schools and Commonwealth Libraries reviews libraries, no one at the federal level has made a decision about the state level plans.
- Alice Lubrecht

As an intermediate unit, some of the questions above really do not apply to us very well. I do want to say, though,that IU 20 is beginning to meet with our school districts and outside agencies next week to form a consortium for bidding purposes.
- Charlene Brennan

We are in the process of developing a tech plan, that includes high speed(T3) internet access, and distance learning, perhaps w/ a university partner. We are working through the trial forms to get ready, and flushing out a needs assessment, and fiscal commitment plan.
- Lee Mason

I think it is a good idea, but the information needs to be passed on to people in school districts besides the administrators. Some of them do not pass information on to faculty who would like to be current in their knowledge of what is available and what is going on in the area of technology. We have to find out through words dropped by our colleagues and then go looking for information.
- Edith McGuire

Quest. 4: While we are part of a consortium organized by our IU IU, joint universal discount application to include public libraries, has not been discuss libraries has not been discussed. Quest. 6.: Technical help is sought by this public library through our intermediate unit, usually provided to us as a courtesy.
- Nancy Smink

When will it become available to lea's????
- David Frankel

Once again, those librarians who do it all in their understaffed, underfunded libraries are expected to be on the cutting edge of the latest technologies and methods. While I try to keep up with this seminar, I have to deal with a system failure when our one Internet connection is corrupted by a patron, prepare and carry out a fund raising campaign, organize a board meeting, attend Access training, County Librarians' meeting, County Board system meeting, Friends of the Library meeting, manage staff and difficult patrons, and order books as well? I've learned a lot from responses from other participants. I've learned that this is not going to be simple. I'm becoming discouraged! HELP Lynne Tharan New Bethlehem Area Free Public Library
- Lynne Tharan

The Pottsville Free Public Library as well as the other public libraries in the Pottsville District are part of the Schuylkill Consortium with the School districts in the area. This was established quite some time ago. It has not been investigated whether this consortium will also work together in regards to the Universal Service discount program. We rely on the Intermediate Unit for technology support.
- Jean Towle

When are the applications expected to be available?
- Tony Payne

Too difficult, there has got to be a better appproach than this
- Woody Kadel

We have these things completed but I'm not sure how it all fits into the application process. I'm hoping the application will not be long, difficult and too involved.
- Joanne Hosey

Our director is nearly finished with technology plan.
- Susan Priest

Because of our library's tight budget and small staff, we hope that the program is run in a simple and efficient manner, so that the benefit is not at the expense of excessive staff time.
- Matt Kane

As I mentioned earlier in a note to Laurie, I am not going to complete the survey, as I do not run a library. I am an advisor to public libraries, mostly rural; all understaffed and underfunded. I see several small libraries are participating. Too many are not; 'cause they just can not do one more thing. As is seen from comments from people such as Diane Whitker, Lois Strycula, Diane Ziegler, Lynne Tharan and probaly several others I now can not recall these folks are finding this entire process very time consuming. I think most people felt they would have some tangible answers by now the second week in October.
- Betty Ann O'Brien

Technology plan guidelines are so vague that we don't seem to have any assurance that ours will be adequate. There's no firm information as to who will review the plans or by what criteria they will be approved. Our local consortia crosses telephone company lines so that we are unable to join with the other members in obtaining local internet access.
- Margaret Wilson

Until the eligible applicants are shown a formal application, how can anyone be completely prepared to submit an application immediately? There should be a resonable length of time given to applicants between the time the application is posted and when applications are accepted. There are too many unanswered questions regarding what is and isn't eligible. Who is or isn't eligible? Have the nine counties been reclassified? Contracted services already entered into? Definition of technology inventory?
- Pamela Wentling

Not enough information available for school dsitricts concerning application and guidelines.
- James Duncan

we are a small library that wishes to supply our local community with up-dated information for both educational and receration use.To offer this service to our patrons it would require financial help from our local telephone and net providers.Our library look at its self as a business,(with very limited funds) yet we would like to provide our patrons with,accessible,available and affordable Tech.equipment that will prepare them to move into the 21st century.
- constance Taylor

Return to Universal Service: Pennsylvania or
Return to Information Renaissance home page