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South Dakota State Library Services

A list of services provided by the South Dakota State Library.

E-Rate FAQs

  • E-rate subsidizes certain technology services and equipment in schools and libraries.
  • Most SD public libraries are eligible to apply for E-rate.
  • E-rate is funded through a universal service fee charged to companies that provide telecommunications services.
  • E-rate discounts range from 20%-90% of the costs of eligible services, based on the percentage of the local school district population eligible for the National School Lunch Program.
  • Libraries are important providers of Internet access to communities.
  • E-rate can help your library obtain affordable Internet access and telecommunications services.
  • Most SD public libraries are eligible to apply for E-rate.
  • Services to buildings - internet access and data transmission services
  • Services & equipment inside buildings - Wi-Fi, building infrastructure and networking equipment (access points, antennas, cabling, firewalls, network switches, routers, UPSs, etc.), basic maintenance of internal connections
  • Start now by talking to your library board and IT people. What does the library need? Reduced rates on internet, increased broadband capacity, better Wi-Fi? The E-rate application begins with a competitive bidding request so you'll have to be able to itemize the products and services you want.
  • The application process opens a year before the discounts begin. That means you should be ready to begin your library's application by this summer/fall for discounts in the 2021 funding year (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022).

E-rate resources

South Dakota has an E-rate coordinator who provides outreach and training to SD libraries and schools.

Contact the E-rate coordinator to subscribe to SD E-rate listserv messages about training opportunities, filing advice, and deadlines.

Debra M. Kriete, Esq.
South Dakota E-rate Coordinator
dmkriete@comcast.net  / 888-232-0241 (toll free)

South Dakota E-rate webinars are recorded and posted on the SD DOE E-rate webpage.

Libraries accepting E-rate discounts must comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). The protection measures must block or filter internet access to pictures that are: (a) obscene; (b) child pornography; or (c) harmful to minors (for computers that are accessed by minors). 

To comply with CIPA requirements the library must:

  • Adopt and enforce an internet safety policy that includes filtering. You must provide reasonable notice and hold at least one public hearing or meeting to address the proposal. Libraries can meet this requirement by adding the discussion to the agenda of a regularly scheduled library board meeting.
  • Use filtering technology (hardware or software). Filtering must be applied to every library computer. Filtering cannot be turned off by minors (younger than 17). Filtering should be turned off for any adult on demand. The choice of technology measure used for filtering is a local decision.

Filtering does not need to cover patron owned devices such as laptops, tablets and phones that use library WiFi.

CIPA documentation needed for E-rate application:

  • Notice of public meeting
  • Agenda for meeting that shows opportunity of public comment
  • Filtering records such as purchase order