E-Rate: Phone and Other Changes

The Federal Communications Commission is making massive changes to the E-Rate program. As an example, beginning in 2015 E-rate for the following services, which are not directly Wi-Fi or broadband related, will be eliminated: circuit cards/components, interfaces, gateways, servers, storage devices, telephone and video components, voice over IP (VoIP), voicemail, email, and webhosting. In another major program change, discounts for basic phone service will be phased out by 20% each year starting in 2015 (e.g., a library at a 70% discount will have a 50% discount in 2015 and a 30% discount in 2016). During 2015 and 2016 the FCC will evaluate the impact of the phase out. Unless the FCC takes action, phone discounts will end by 2019. Basic phone service includes: local and long distance, plain old telephone service (POTS), satellite telephone, Centrex, cellular service and interconnected VoIP.

Registration is open for the New Jersey Library E-Rate Webinar to be conducted by E-rate Central on Jan 13, 2015 at 11:00 AM EST (https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6211752876684778497). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Questions? Contact Kathi at kpeiffer@PROTECTED.

Rule Proposals and Notices of Adoption

The Administrative Procedure Act was amended last year to require State agencies to use various electronic technologies in rule-making procedures. NJSL was already in compliance with this new rule with the exception of not having a webpage concerning Rule Proposals and Notices of Adoption. We now provide this information for the general public at:  http://www.njstatelib.org/services_for_libraries/resources/library_law/rule-proposals-notices-adoption/.  Of course, we have historically kept directors and other interested parties advised of all rule-making activities through the njpublibs listserv and will continue to do so.

NJAC15:23, NJ Professional Librarian Certificate

I am currently working with Thomas Edison State College to update NJAC 15:23 as TESC is the agency that processes the NJ Professional Librarian Certificate. The changes are technical in nature and do not substantively change any requirement. You will be advised via njpublibs regarding proposed changes to this Rule soon.

NJAC 15:22, Library Network Services

NJAC 15:22, Library Network Services, will require some technical amendments to update the Rule to reflect the current structure of the Network.  Whether or not any substantive amendments are advisable will be discussed by the Library Network Review Board, and with LibraryLinkNJ. After a draft is prepared, a message will be sent via njpublibs and you will have the opportunity to participate in discussions or surveys that may be needed. We will start this process early in 2015.

NJAC 15:21, 1/3 mill

NJAC 15:21, State Library Aid and Grants, includes two major sections that will need review. It is anticipated that the section dealing with the Municipal Annual Mandatory Library Appropriation for the Maintenance of a Free Public Library will need at least some technical amendments to reflect that library trustees do have a legal procedure for returning funds to the municipality. After a draft is prepared, a message will be sent via njpublibs and you will have the opportunity to participate in discussions or surveys that may be needed. We will start this process in 2015.

NJAC 15:21, PCSA

When we last updated the section dealing with Per Capita State Aid, all of the directors were invited to participate throughout the process starting with a survey. This seemed to be a good way to involve everyone and measure the amount of concern on any given minimum standard. A PCSA Review committee will be established to review the survey results and to guide the process. After a draft is prepared, a message will be sent via njpublibs and you will have the opportunity to participate in discussions or surveys that may be needed.  We will start this process in mid-2015.

Best wishes,

Victoria

Victoria Rosch

Deputy State Librarian

Director, Library Support Services

vrosch@PROTECTED 

609.278.2640 ext.157