OCLC telco costs in Universal Service applications

[Angela Scherer]

Barbara,

The following is an excerpt of email forwarded from a representative at
the California State Library as well as a link to the issue on the OCLC
website:

OCLC has a "Frequently Asked Questions; E-Rates and OCLC" on its web
site at
the following address:


http://www.oclc.org/oclc/telecom/e_ratefaq.htm#qualify

One of their statements is:

"Since OCLC is neither a qualifying institution nor a qualifying service
provider, OCLC is unable to draw funds from the Universal Service Fund. 
As
a consequence, OCLC's access methods do not qualify for reimbursement
for
E-Rates which the library might qualify if it were to buy certain
telecommunications services from a qualifying telecommunications
provider.
The lines, modems, and other carrier-related costs of providing
dedicated
multi-drop access all fall into the above category, and as such are not
eligible for E-Rate discount from OCLC."

Elsewhere it says:

"Internet access services obtained by an eligible library from an
Internet
Service Provider (ISP) and subsequently used to gain access to OCLC
services
may, under certain circumstances, be eligible for E-Rate discounts from
the
ISP.  These arrangements would be made directly between the library and
the
ISP."
=




bs91 wrote:
> 
> Has anyone figured out how to list OCLC telecommunications costs in the
> Universsal Service applications?
> 
> The invoice from our regional network has the telco costs stated in language
> thatt doesn't match the terms used in the eligibility lists.  For example,
> "communications controller" is on the invoice.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Barbara Smith
> Chief, Technical Services
> Montgomery County Public Libraries
> smithb at co.mo.md.us

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Angela Scherer
Automation Coordinator/Community and Library Services
Orange Public Library
101 N. Center St.
Orange, CA  92866
email:  ascherer at pacbell.net  
voice: (714) 288-2565  fax: (714) 744-8390
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