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Request for Applications The Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board (TIF) announces the availability of approximately $7.7 million in non-competitive grants for public libraries with no Internet connections. A public library is defined as any public library that is recognized by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Future initiatives will address other needs of the library community, such as libraries with inadequate connections, community college connectivity, collaborative community network development, and training (see the TIF Master Plan fOT the timeline of grant programs). Libraries that have already received a Texas State Library (TSL) Internet Assistance grant are Dot eligible for this grant. F grant recipients will receive a basic Internet package. In return, grantees will commit to: . Providing public service locations for Internet access in the library . Developing and implementing Internet Access policies . Providing furniture for project equipment out of local funds . Participating in scheduled Internet training events sponsored by TIF and TSL (TIF will pay a stipend for transportation to these events) . Assuming ongoing telecomunications, hardware, and software costs when TIF project completed . Submiting 2 progress reports to TIF; participating in TIF evaluation . Meeting the Standards/or Public Library In/erne/ Conneclions established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission TIF encourages applicants to investigate joint venture opportunities with local schools, community colleges, not-for- profit healthcare providers, and other community entities in order to leverage TIF funds, increase community access, increase potential of future collaboration, and increase project sustainability. The amounts awarded for these projects must be for the fifteen-month term of the project, beginning with January I, 1998, and ending on March 31, 1999. All project costs after March 31, 1999 must be integrated into the library's budget. This library initiative consists of two programs: ~rogram A igible applicants are public libraries that do not have Internet access for the general public with an annual circulation of ..3S than 100.000 with an Internet point-of-presence available inthe local calling area. The purpose of this program is to provide a base-level Internet connection for small to medium public libraries that currently have no Internet connectivity, but have an Internet point-of-presence available through local dial-up. Libraries with an annual circulation of less than 100,000 yet have a LAN, an automated library catalog. and the resources to sustain dedicated access may apply for Pro gram B. Program B Eligible applicants are public libraries that have no or limited Internet access! for the general public with an annual circulation of more than 100.000. The purpose of this program is to provide a base-level Internet connection for medium-sized and large public libraries that currently have no or limited Internet connectivity. A library with an annual circulation of more than 100,000 may be eligible for Program A if the library does not have an automated public access library catalog. I "Limited Internet access" is defmed as having "dial-up" access only.