Funds will be used to improve technology services at area library
Washington, DC (March 1, 2006) – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) today announced that the Edinburg Public Library has received a total of $304,589.48 in funding under the E-Rate program, which provides discounts between 20 and 90 percent to schools and libraries for the cost of education technology (Internet Access and Telecom Services). The funding represents discounts schools and libraries will receive for specific technology needs, including Internet services and access, telecommunications, and internal connections needed to bring information straight to schools and libraries.
“For so many throughout South Texas, public libraries provide their only access to the Internet,” said Hinojosa. “Ensuring that our public libraries have the latest technology and tools for the communities they serve is so important as our world continues to get smaller and smaller.”
The E-Rate program will provide more than $2.1 billion in discounts to tens of thousands of schools, with the costs being covered by the Universal Service Fund, until the fund is exhausted. The E-Rate’s first funding priority is for telecommunications services and Internet access, and the second funding priority is for internal connections and wiring at schools and libraries.