TO: All SCKLS Members
FM: Larry Papenfuss ­ SCKLS Automation Consultant
RE: KAN-ED UPDATE

Please keep for future reference.

On May 27th I attended a KAN-ED update session in Wichita and came away
with the following information. Presenters at this session were:

Hal Gardner, Director of KAN-ED
Eldon Rightmeier, KAN-ED Network Planner

1.To date there are 557 members of KAN-ED.

2.How do I determine if we are a member of KAN-ED?

For a list of current members, go to:
http://www.kan-ed.org/new/participants.htm & select type of library.

3.If you are currently NOT a member of KAN-ED we encourage you to join.
Becoming a member, according to KAN-ED, costs nothing and does not
obligate you anything. We encourage you to sign up for KAN-ED membership
prior to June 30, 2003.

4.Where can I find a membership application form?

http://www.kan-ed.org/new/news.htm
Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you hit the area labeled:
Membership Solicitation, then choose your appropriate library type,
download all forms, complete application and submit to KAN-ED.

* The appropriate individual from your institution should complete this form.

Public Library (Director or Tech Coordinator)
School Library (Supt or Tech Coordinator)
Academic (President / Dean / Director of IT)
Special Library (Head of Institution or IT)

5.For those of you who wish to get a better understanding of what KAN-ED
is, please visit the following site.

http://www.kan-ed.org/new/Whatiskan-ed.htm

6.SUBSIDIES

Subsidies (MONEY) are available to help “KAN-ED Members” enhance their
broadband connectivity. This is intended to “enhance” existing broadband
connections and to encourage development of broadband connections at
libraries that currently use dial-up services. The subsidy amount will
not be determined until the final membership count of June 30, 2003. It
is anticipated to range between $2,000 and $4,500 per institution.

7.Where does the subsidy “money” come from?

It is money set aside from the Kansas Universal Service Fee. NOTE: This
is not the Federal (E-RATE) fund, so according to Hal at KAN-ED this money
is NOT tied to E-Rate, thus you are not currently under any CIPA
obligations.

8.Should I apply for a subsidy?

Libraries who have high-speed connectivity already, most definitely. Use
the subsidy to upgrade your bandwidth and/or equipment.

Libraries with dial-up connectivity ­ if you are planning on upgrading to
high speed-connectivity definitely apply. If you are not planning on
upgrading at this time and wish to maintain dial-up connectivity please
note that the funds can ONLY be used to enhance BROADBAND connectivity and
NOT dial-up connectivity.

9.DIAL-UP LIBRARIES

Please be watching for an update from me in the next couple of weeks.

10.What can the subsidy “money” be used for?

The subsidy can be used to “enhance” broadband connectivity. If you have
dial-up connectivity you can use the funds to transfer to DSL, Cable,
ISDN, T1 or other high-speed connections. For those libraries that
already have the broadband connection, the subsidy can be used for faster
switches, firewalls, upgraded wiring, routers and other equipment that
would “enhance” your broadband connectivity.

11.How can I verify that what I am purchasing is an acceptable item?

If you want to verify what you are planning to purchase with subsidy funds
is appropriate I suggest you contact Brad William’s at KAN-ED via e-mail.
He has been fairly quick in responding to my questions. Please remember
that KAN-ED is a KAN-ED program, NOT a SCKLS program, so the rules and
regulations are developed by KAN-ED, not SCKLS.

Brad’s (KAN-ED) Contact Information:
bwilliams@ksbor.org
Kansas Board of Regents Office
1000 Southwest Jackson, 5th Floor
Topeka, KS 66612-1368
785-296-1862

12.When does the Subsidy application have to be completed by?

First, you MUST be a member of KAN-ED
Second, Subsidy application’s must be completed no later than June 30,
2003

13.Where can I find the Subsidy Application Form?

Got: http://www.kan-ed.org/new/news.htm

Once there, at the top of the page you will see the link:

Please Click here to apply - Choose it and complete the form.

14.Do I have to state what the subsidy will be used for at the time of
application?

No. However the application has an area that if you intend to use the
subsidy for equipment only and NOT connectivity or bandwidth upgrades you
will need to check the box next to Purchasing Equipment for Broadband
Internet Access.

15.When does the money have to be spent by?

KAN-ED has not stated an exact date. It would be best, in my opinion, if
those funds were spent or encumbered within the current budget year.

16.Will the subsidy money be available every year?

According to KAN-ED, it is their “intention” to have subsidies available.
However, like anything, there are no guarantees. The subsidy application
and amounts awarded are subject to change from year to year. Currently,
subsidy funding for FY 2004 is intended to be rolled out for application
early on in 2004, so in a sense it will appear that you will be eligible
for two subsidy checks in the same year due to the timing of the 2003 and
2004 subsidy awards.

I hope that this overview answers more questions than it generates.

: - )

Larry

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