This e-mail will be of the most benefit to those libraries who utilize
dial-up Internet connectivity and are interested in KAN-ED.

After talking with Eldon at KAN-ED I have been able to determine that they
will allow a library who has dial up connectivity to apply for KAN-ED
Subsidies to upgrade their network wiring and firewall protection, BUT
that that library has the honest intention of upgrading to a broadband
connection within a year or two. He went on to say,

"Developing a local LAN while using dial-up with intent to upgrade to
broadband. Perfectly acceptable for subsidy funds. No refund required.
However, additional subsidies may be affected if broadband access is
not actively pursued."

In other words, you could apply for a subsidy right now, utilize the funds
to develop a inhouse network that would connect your computers together as
well as add a firewall and if you had additional funds left over you could
utilize them to pay for BROADBAND connectivity. DO NOT use subsidy money
to pay for dial-up or you will have to pay it back.

The next question/concern I had was what if a library who has dial-up
connectivity switches to broadband solely based on the fact that they will
be relying on KAN-ED Subsidy funds to pay for the high speed access and
two years down the road the subsidy money is no longer available. My big
concern here would be, Is that library resposible for maintaining a
connection that it can not afford without subsidy funds and will they have
to pay back subsidies if they wind up going back to dial-up do to the fact
that the subsidies were cut and they can no longer afford the broadband
bill without financial assistance.

When I posed that question/scenario to Eldon Rightmeier at KAN-ED his
response was,

"Broadband committment. From a KAN-ED perspective, no the library would
not be committed to paying for broadband that it is unable to afford
without subsidy. However, this question may be more directly related to
the contract signed between the library and the broadband supplier. If
that contract is for multiple years and KAN-ED subsidies fail, the
library may be committed to the supplier. Negotiate contracts
carefully, see if clauses can be added pertaining to ongoing KAN-ED
support. Or, sign up for only that period of time you know you can
cover with "known" subsidy support."

In other words... I guess what I'm saying to you is... If you have dial-up
Internet access and you feel that within a year or two you will definately
pursue broadband connectivity of one type or another (i.e. Cox cable, DSL,
satellite), that you pursue KAN-ED Subsidies prior to June 30. Please be
sure that if you do accept subsidy funds that you utilize if for ONLY
ITEMS that are covered and that you maintain records of what you get as
you will need to provide a written overview of what you used your subsidy
funds for.

Please remember that KAN-ED is a state funded and operated program and the
rules, regulations and guidelines are not controlled by SCKLS.

Larry

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