This document provides guidance to libraries on submitting public comments on states' Digital Equity Act and Broadband, Equity, and Deployment program plans. It encourages libraries to comment to advocate for their inclusion in digital equity initiatives and access to funding. The document outlines key parts of the state plans to review and provides suggestions for comments, such as highlighting existing and potential library digital equity programs and services, and needs for support and coordination. Libraries are urged to comment to position themselves as valuable partners in achieving states' digital equity goals.

1. It is Time to Comment:
Ensuring Libraries are in Your State’s
Digital Equity Plan
EveryLibrary Institute | 12 July 2023
Liz Gabbitas, John Chrastka

2. EveryLibrary Focus on DEA and BEAD Planning
● Two webinars for State Libraries and library stakeholders on pre-planning for the
state planning process:
○ Reverse Engineering DEA and BEAD Stakeholder Engagement for State Libraries
https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/reverse_engineer_dea_stakeholder_engagement
○ Getting up to BEAD
https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/broadband_planning_webinar_state_libraries
● Comments to NTIA on State Capacity and Competitive Grants
https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/eli_comments_ntia_dea_2023
Our goal is to help maximize funding opportunities for libraries and state libraries in
these significant federal programs.

3. At this stage in
the DEA and
BEAD
Process….
John
john.chrastka@everylibrary.org
312-574-0316
Liz Gabbitas
consulting@lizgabbitas.com
801-949-7694

4. What’s happening - state plans
● All 56 states and territories will receive IIJA funding through the Digital Equity
(DE) Act and the Broadband, Equity, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
● Every state must create a State Digital Equity Plan and a two-part BEAD plan.
● Every state must have a public comment period on both plans.
● Public comments refine and define the plan.
● Every other stakeholder group will be participating in the public comment period.

5. What’s happening - DE Act eligible activities
● Anything to promote, among each Covered Population:
○ Availability and affordability of broadband technology
○ Online accessibility and inclusivity of public resources
○ Digital literacy
○ Awareness of, and the use of, cybersecurity measures
○ Availability and affordability of consumer devices and technical support
● This will mean SERVICES, TECHNOLOGY, and PEOPLE.

6. What’s happening - “covered populations”
● Households at or below 150% of the poverty level
● Aging individuals (60 and above)
● Incarcerated individuals
● Veterans
● Individuals with disabilities
● Individuals with a language barrier (English learners and low levels of literacy)
● Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group
● Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area

7. What’s happening - library alignment
Anticipated Activities
● Community connectivity projects
● Device access and distribution
● Personal help navigating tech
● Digital literacy programs
Library Services
● Free public wifi, parking lot wifi,
mobile hotspot lending, more
● Public computers, laptops for
checkout, refurbishment programs
● Digital navigators, book a librarian,
knowledgeable help desk staff
● Classes, drop in labs, friendly staff

8. Your objective:
Put the library at the front of
every digital equity conversation.

9. How to achieve this:
COMMENT ON YOUR STATE PLAN

10. 2023 2024 2025 2026
Get up to speed with your state’s process
Planning Revision
Public comment
Implementation
You should already be involved!

11. Read (or skim) your
state’s plan
Skim
Read
Opening &
TOC
10%
9%
1%
Implementa
-tion plan
50%
10%
40%
Partners &
stakeholders
30%
25%
5%
Everything
else
10%
5%
5%

12. Submit your
comments
At the minimum, make an ally of
yourself.

13. Submit your
comments
Make it valuable to you

14. Find the section “Implementation” and comment on…
Where you are
● Projects where libraries lead or are key partners
● Outreach and awareness building goals
● Anything related to digital literacy and skill-building
Where you aren’t
● Proposed services you’d also like to provide or
projects you’d like to try but haven’t yet
● Initiatives which rely on unspecified partners,
especially municipal government partners
What you’ll need
● Specific type of support necessary for
implementation (staff, funding, admin, etc.)
● Coordination the state office could provide which
would help achieve your action items

15. Submit your
comments
Make yourself invaluable to them

16. Your state must show stakeholder input
Community Anchor
Institutions
Libraries
Schools
Health Centers
Broader Education
Local Educational Agencies
Higher Education
State agencies responsible
for adult education and
literacy activities
Nonprofits
501(c)(3)s
Not-for-profits
Local alliances
Other informally organized
digital inclusion efforts
Groups Representing
Covered Populations
Literacy Initiatives
Social Justice Organizations
Disability Rights Groups
Aging Services

17. Saying yes

18. What if
we don’t?
The risks of skipping the opportunity
for public comment

19. Don’t forget the BEAD plan

21. Scenarios where BEAD can connect libraries
● Incidental to another project, where
middle mile is necessary for last mile
● Synchronous projects, where an unserved
area is being built as a first priority and
there are cost savings to building an
underserved area or CAI at the same time

22. Comments on the BEAD plan
CAI definition & speed
CAI prioritization
● Will infrastructure for CAIs make it into the Initial Proposal?
● Share your connectivity priorities
Community access
● Does the plan identify geographic areas or neighborhoods with
limited access to free public wifi?
● Highlight the library’s critical role in solving digital connectivity
deserts by providing free, consistent resources
● Look for the state’s definition of a CAI and a standard of 1 Gbps
symmetrical speed.
● Point out errors or overly general language
● Ensure there is a plan for identifying libraries not yet receiving gig
speeds and improving their connections

23. Each and every state plan that is currently
available:
https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/public-notice-posting-state-
and-territory-bead-and-digital-equity-plansproposals

24. Need help?
Reach out
John
john.chrastka@everylibrary.org
312-574-0316
Liz Gabbitas
consulting@lizgabbitas.com
801-949-7694