ACT NOW To Get Federal Stimulus Funds for Your School Library!

Congress passed a series of stimulus bills related to COVID-19 during 2020 and 2021. Several of these bills provided significant funding to Wisconsin school districts to help them respond to the pandemic. It is critical that we advocate for strong school library programs at the local level! 

 

We break down the opportunities for you to advocate at the school district level for federal stimulus funds to be used to help your school library program. You can view a PDF copy of this guide here. 

Possible projects that could receive stimulus funding include: 

• Expanded hours 
• Reconfiguring physical spaces 
• Summer literacy programs 
• Purchasing devices and hardware

Helpful Advocacy Resources

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has created recommendations for how schools can use the federal stimulus funds, which you can view here. There are specific recommendations for school libraries and digital learning. 

American Library Association: The ALA has created a detailed resource page to help you advocate for your school library at the local level! It includes a sample letter that you can send to your principal, superintendent and school board! They have also prepared this helpful list of ideas on how school libraries can use federal stimulus funds. 

Available Funding Sources

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund: Congress provided dedicated funding to K-12 schools through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSR) fund in three of the stimulus bills. Most recently, the American Rescue Plan Act provided $1.5 billion to Wisconsin K-12 schools, 90% of which will be passed directly on to local school districts. 

What the Funds Can Be Used For: ESSR funds can be used for a variety of activities including (but not limited to!):

• Providing technology for online learning to all students
• Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software and connectivity) for students
• Summer learning, summer enrichment or comprehensive afterschool programs

What Your School District Is Getting: A break down of how much each Wisconsin school district has received from the ESSR in each of the three stimulus bills can be found on page 11 of this document. 

E-Rate Emergency Connectivity Fund:  The American Rescue Plan Act established a $7.1 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund as part of the E-Rate program. The FCC is required to reimburse 100% of eligible equipment expenses. 

What Funds Can be Used For: Eligible purchases include: Wi-Fi hotspots (including hot spots for buses and bookmobiles); Modems; Routers; Devices that combine a modem and router and connected devices (laptops, tablets, etc.). Purchases can support devices used by students and school staff off-campus! The FCC released guidance on this program on May 10, 2021. You can view the full rules here. 

What Your School District is Getting: Nothing--unless you apply for these funds!

How to Apply For Funds: The FCC has said they want the application process to be quick and easy! The FCC has directed the Universal Service Administrative Company to open a 45-day application window as soon as possible. During the initial application window, schools and libraries may apply for funding for eligible purchases made between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. 

Institute for Museum and Library Services:  The American Rescue Plan Act provided a total of $200 million for the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services is required to provide 89% of the funds to State Library Administrative Agencies. It is not yet clear how much Wisconsin is receiving under this provision.