Universal Service: Pennsylvania
Comments on Survey #2

Being in touch with teachers and librarians across the state has been very productive.
- Bob Carlitz

We are hoping we will know if our county will be reclassified to rural before we submit our erate.
- Barb Landon

With 54 sites we need to have simplicity of administration.
- H. E. Broadbent

There is still a great deal of confusion concerning E-rate. Any sources of information helps to clarify the subject. We do not have any long term contracts but do have Internet service and telephone service via agreements that can be changed at any time. We are looking for ways to reduce the costs of these services. We are not sure whether we will be filing an individual application or a consortium application. We are exploring consortia and if possible will be filing that way. We hope to have everything ready to file for both Link-2-Learn Infrastructure Improvement and E-rate for the same project to use all available funding. Therefore we may be in a position to file an E-rate application before January 1998 if they become available.
- Donald Allaman

I am not able to answer these q's since I do not run a library. My comment is to question 3 a+b. Until just now the application period was not known. I was lead to believe these would have to be submitted in the next 6 to 8 weeks or certainly this year. So small libs which have been having trouble understanding and dealing with all of this; probably by now have thrown up their hands with frustration. Now it appears this is not rush, rush, rush, hurry up. We just got notice of a window of time being allowed. We do not know what that time frame is. From this question does it imply a very extended application period? This whole seminar has been helpful. Mostly in letting us know just how uncertain and unclear much of this is. As was pointed out in the memo we received about the window to apply; schoold districts with large staffs and technical people and busniess manager people can deal with this a lot easier than a small public library with little or no assistance and certainly no time. Thank you.
- Betty Ann O'Brien

My thanks to the PUC and, in particular, Debra Kriete, for working with the FCC as they develop their rules for the Universal Service program. We still need to find out from the FCC exactly what types of libraries beyond public libraries are eligible in Pennsylvania. I am particularly interested in knowing if state institution libraries, county law libraries, historical society libraries, medical libraries connected with nonprofit hospitals, and other special libraries are eligible. I am also waiting to hear what the rules will be for State Libraries. We've been told by ALA that state libraries will be eligible, but, obviously, we won't be reviewing our own technology plans. Who will review our plan? How will our discounts work since we get our telecommunications through the state and its contracts?
- Barbara Cole

We need a clearinghouse for partnerships and consorsia. I think small private/parochial schools with limited staff and parent volunteers need a place to find partners to increase their chances of getting the E-Rate.
- Timothy Canny

Our consortium, MCLINC, signed a multiple year contract for SMDS service in February, 1997, before we had any information from the FCC to the contrary. We are concerned that doing what preserved the best price at that time will work against successful application for discounts. We intend to apply as soon as the application procedure opens, but no date has been set.
- Hilma Cooper

As Project Director for a L2L Technology Testbed model, I do not understand yet how or if our consortium of school districts, vot-tech, communities and a state university can take advantage of the USF. We are signing 10 commitments with vendors this month.
- Bob Little

Dissappointed that the process is so convoluted and complex. Found that the seminar had to, by necessity, cover many aspects that did not apply to us.
- Lynne Tharan

Appreciate the opportunity to provide input and learn of the concerns of others regarding the e-rate.
- Wes Fasnacht

The whole process is entirely too complicated. Small districts like ours have neither the time nor the resources to wade through the mass of material available. We will probably apply as part of an IU consortium, but we are still unsure of the best way to utilize the program.
- James Witt

1. Although I did not particpate online, I found the information listed informative. 2. I learned from the discussions and topics presented by the various participants.
- William Schultz

I still have many unanswered questions. I'm still monitoring the seminar FAQ list for new responses to the questions with no answers yet. I agree with the sentiments expressed by some that the complexity of the program may not make it cost effective for very small libraries whose current telecommunications bills are pretty low. Don't know whether the fact that our library gets a small annual appropriation from our School District will make us ineligible to be an applicant. I'm still struggling to pull together all the information I need to complete a Technology Plan, an RFP, and the applications.
- Laurie Tynan

Programmatic impacts for technology will really make a difference.
- Robert Clark

We need basic application and guideline information before decisions can be made.
- James Duncan

We appreciate PUC efforts in approving discounts promptly to allow process to proceed. We are concerned about the logistics and reliability of the application process.There still seem to be lots of unanswered questions considering a November appliacation date is anticipated. How much longer after the Nov. 14 comment due date will the application forms be ready? When will we know about the nine county waiver response? How will we be notified?
- Pamela Wentling

After attending several meetings concerning the E-rate, I still feel that there are too many unanswered questions.
- Barbara Law

As a small public library, we do not know if the discount process is worth the discount we would receive.
- Diane Whitaker

I would like to see the submission of an application for the entire state. This would have a high-bandwidth backbone, with users capable of buying as little or as much capacity as they could afford or want. This would also eliminate an awful lot of the wasteful redundancy that will be generated by the creation of a number of similar networks, completely disjointed and separated by lack of vision more than technology. I think it would also level the very uneven playing field between rural and urban areas.
- Kevin Conner

This seminar has been very interesting and in some ways helpful. It did not simplify things as much as I had hoped. What I did pick up was that other people are as confused as I. Further other libraries have small telecommunications expenses and are doubtful of the benefits of this discount. In the end, I do have a somewhat better understanding of the e-rate discounts. Thank you.
- Lois Strycula

Thanks for their prompt response.
- Marilyn moody

How are we to know our estimated application date when the application forms are not yet finalized? And I still do not know if my public library is eligible to apply since 20% of my funding comes from our local school district? Other libraries in our consortium are also partially funded by their local school districts.
- Lillian Caffrey

Two concerns: 1)It may be difficult to get our local telephone service providers to bid on our contract 2)Our Internet Service Provider and the vendor that services our LAN are concerned about how difficult and/or lengthy the process of getting reimbursed may be--we have always paid them directly and on time. They are small businesses, and delays may be detrimental to them.
- Patricia Lawson

can't wait until we see the real forms and can apply for the discounts. It will be great for all concerned.
- scott powner

I would like to see more specfic about what the e-rate will apply to. In addition I have a real concern about states appling for e-rate discount for the whole state, for example Cailfornia, New York etc. I would like to see the final application soon.
- Dennis Houlihan

I applaud the decision to provide an extended application window in order to give institutions time to complete applications adequately. I still feel, however, that unless the application process is considerably simplified, and provisions are made for long term contracts with providers, the annual application procedure will prove to be burdensome for libraries with inadequate staffing and frequent staff turnovers. It also seems unrealistic for our library to be forced to put up for bid a second Internet access provider when our current provider is giving us free service now and will charge us only half price for our second contract. What kind of customer/vendor relationship does this requirement encourage? Certainly not trust or loyalty! If I am wrong in my interpretation of these rules, please advise. MJW Murrysville.
- Margaret Wilson

These questions are irrelevant to our library because we're not eligible for the Universal Service discount. You should have a Not Applicable (N/A) response available.
- mary stubbs

I hope the application process is easy to fill out and that the public libraries receive a fair shake when the applications are reviewed. Public libraries receive very little funding as do the public schools and universities.
- Joanne Hosey

I am sorry to say that we experienced an interruption of several days in our Internet service just at the time this online seminar began. Other servers could not find us during that time and all e-mail was lost. Essentially, I did not participate in the seminar for that reason.
- Kathleen Murphy

I was not participating, just "listening in" to this online discussion I found it extremely valuable. Thanks. Therefore, I really don't have a right to respond to your evaluation.
- Maureen conway

There is still a lot of confusion about the entire application process. There are conflicting stories about advantages and disadvatges of consortium and individual submission.
- Rod Farrell

need learn ASAP results of recommendation consideration by FCC as to mutliple year, existing contracts signed after Nov. 6, 1996 and Web site operational for bidding [e.g. any contracts agreed to in early 1997 BEFORE anything know about existence of this "black hole."
- Edward Whittaker

We are planning to enter into an agreement with Armstrong Cable Co. to provide inter-net access district-wide. This will involve service to 8 elementary buildings, 2 junior high schools, 1 senior high school, 1 vocational technical school, and possibly 2 community libraries.
- James Duncan

The on line approach was well conducted. I would suggest that each business manager of each school district get a follow-up snail-mail awa e-mail message to insure that the programs get implemented.
- James Bonds

Higher Education excluded from Universal Service
- John DeVere

I have more questions and doubts about the benefits of applying for the discounts than I did before it was explained to me. We are in the process of selecting and installing an automated system for our libraries and I have received the estimated costs for frame relay connectivity through the local phone company and the shock has not worn off yet. The discounts will be of great help, but each library will be in a different percentage bracket, someone will have to fill out the application (which I have yet to be able to obtain a draft copy of) and administer the bills; all of which hinges on whether we can even get everything together in time to meet the window of opportunity and get accepted!
- Diann Roper

This seminar has been extremely informative. I'd appreciate another one like it to keep up with the changes and further developments as the Discount is enacted. Thank you for all the effort put into this Seminar!
- Lawrence Silverstein

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