September 11, 2003

KAN-ED Subsidy 2004 Update

This is the second of two separate postings on KAN-ED today. This posting deals strictly with KAN-ED in fiscal year 2004.

What is KAN-ED? [Brief overview]
KAN-ED is a state created and funded (Kansas Universal Service Fee) entity. It’s charge is to develop a statewide high-speed private network utilizing existing networks, vendors and institutions in order to provide broadband access, enhanced content and technologically enhanced services to K-12 Education, Health Care Institutions, Higher Education and Libraries.

Examples of broadband access is the change from dial-up Internet to high speed Internet connectivity such as ISDN, T1, Cable, etc and/or enhancement of current internal networks that would increase Internet access.

Enhanced content examples are databases that have been added to the state database selections. You can find these additions at: http://skyways.lib.ks.us/library/databases.html

Other enhanced content is the delivery of distance education, video conferencing and steaming media via the Internet.

Public Library Section KAN-ED Workshop in Hesston, KS

Presenters:
Hal Gardner, Director and Eldon Rightmeier, Network Planning and Security Coordinator

After attending the Public Library Section KAN-ED Workshop in Hesston, KS on Thursday, September 11, 2003 I was able to walk away with some additional understanding and knowledge of KAN-ED in regards to 2004. I will make every effort to convey to you these findings in the shortest and most concise form while at the same time trying not to leave anything out.

First, let me state that SCKLS highly encourages our system members to join KAN-ED if they have not already done so. Joining costs nothing and obliges you to nothing.

How do I know if we are already a member and if we are not, how do we join?

To determine weather or not you are a current member of KAN-ED go to the following link: http://www.kan-ed.org/new/participants.htm

Choose your appropriate institution type and search for your libraries name. If you find it, you are a KAN-ED member and no further action is required at this time. However, if you do not find it, you are not a KAN-ED member and that leaves you with two choices… a. join KAN-ED OR b. remain, as you are, not affiliated with KAN-ED. The choice is yours, but again I wish to stress that SCKLS member libraries are encouraged to join.

If you wish to join KAN-ED you can acquire an application from the link below.
(Once there, choose the appropriate application as per institution type).
http://www.kan-ed.org/new/memberap.htm

Important Information!

A key factor to note… just because you are a KAN-ED member does NOT mean you automatically will receive subsidy funding. You must APPLY for subsidy funds AFTER you have become a KAN-ED member. Please note that in FY 2003 ALL KAN-ED Members who applied for a subsidy received a subsidy. This will NOT be the case for FY 2004. According to Hal Gardner, Director of KAN-ED, the subsidy funding for FY 2004 will be based on institution size and need. This means that the largest institutions will NOT received subsidy funds, while those that are small in size and possess very small budgets will most likely receives some type of subsidy funding for FY 2004.

When and how can I sign up for 2004 KAN-ED Subsidies?

An excellent question! KAN-ED is hoping to make 2004 subsidy application information available on their website sometime in January of 2004. Their website main page is located at: http://www.kan-ed.org/ while their subsidy page is at:
http://www.kan-ed.org/new/SubsidyDoc.htm

To find out what’s going on at KAN-ED, visit their NEWS page at:
http://www.kan-ed.org/new/news.htm

To read SCKLS postings on KAN-ED, visit our site at:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/sckls/kaned/

I hope I have answered many of the questions you may have had about KAN-ED. If not feel free to contact me for further clarification, however I highly encourage you to inquire directly to the source of the best answers for KAN-ED questions… KAN-ED’s staff whose contact information can be located at: http://www.kan-ed.org/new/contacts.htm

Larry Papenfuss
Automation Technology Coordinator

Back to KAN-ED Information Page