The Universal Service Fund and Statewide Library Services
The Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) and the Wisconsin Education Media & Technology Association (WEMTA) support providing a Universal Service Fund appropriation to fund specific library services, as set forth in chapter 196 of the Wisconsin State Statues.
- [To encourage] the affordability of and accessibility to high-quality education, library and health care services [196.218(5r)(a)2];
- To promote access to information and library services to blind and visually handicapped individuals [196.218(5)(a)8];
- To provide for state aid to library systems under s. 43.24. [196.218(5)(a)11]
In addition, WLA and WEMTA believe that the Universal Service Fund is an equitable and sustainable source of funding that supports a critical network of statewide library services.
How Wisconsin citizens benefit from state funding for library services
BadgerLink
- “Universal” access. Provides access to quality online information resources to all Wisconsin residents in cooperation with the state's public, school, academic, and special libraries and Internet Service Providers.
- Range of knowledge. Includes 11,000 full text magazines and 700 full-text newspapers titles, which are accessed extensively. BadgerLink users conduct more than 18,000,000 searches annually.
- Affordability. A statewide contract insures access to all and provides a significant cost savings over locally negotiated contracts.
Public Library System Aids
- High-speed access to quality information. Library systems support high-speed telecommunications networks, shared online catalogs and circulation systems, and electronic databases for all Wisconsin residents. These services support the ability of Wisconsin residents to get access to information at their local library, as well as from home and work place.
- Public-access computers. The number of Internet-connected public use computers available in Wisconsin’s 388 public libraries increased nearly 100% percent between 2000 and 2009, to 4,888.
- Professional expertise. During 2009, Wisconsin’s 388 public libraries provided over 7.8 million Internet computer sessions to the public and staff expertise to assist your constituents with their information needs.
- Wireless access. As of the end of 2009, 95 percent of Wisconsin’s public libraries, serving all but aq small fraction of Wisconsin’s population, provided wireless Internet access.
Statewide Service Contracts: Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (WRLBPH)
- Special needs library service. The Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, part of the Talking Book Program of the Library of Congress, provides Braille and recorded books and playback equipment for those Wisconsin residents who for any physical reason cannot read normal print.
- Population served. In the 2000 U.S. Census, Wisconsin’s population includes 338,728 people with a physical disability – more than 180,000 suffering a degree of vision loss.
- Use of technology to eliminate barriers. WRLBPH will not only continue traditional by-mail service to residents statewide, but provide direct download and support over the Internet of the rapidly growing digital book collection. The goal is equal and barrier-free access for all, regardless of age, income, or disability.
Statewide Service Contracts: Wisconsin Interlibrary Services, Milwaukee Public Library
- Access. Technology services are key to the success of statewide library resource sharing. Every year, millions of library items are shared among all types of libraries throughout the state. This statewide sharing of library materials means that everyone in Wisconsin has access to over 7 million titles owned by Wisconsin libraries of all types.
- Cost-savings. Resource sharing is also a cost-effective method of avoiding unnecessary duplication of purchasing. Wisconsin now ranks #1 nationally in per capita public library interlibrary loans.
Statewide Service Contracts: Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC)
- Access. The CCBC provides statewide access to its unique programs and resources to librarians, teachers, and anyone with an interest in children’s literature via in-house services, in-person workshops, and the latest technology.
- Education. Regular programs via ITV and OPAL help advocates for children find out about the best new books. The annual best books listing, CCBC Choices, is now available digitally through the UW's digital library, on individual WISCAT records, and in the Children's Literature Comprehensive Database.
- Communication. The CCBC website features searchable databases related to Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators. In addition, the CCBC hosts a children's literature listserv with more than 2000 subscribers and offers weekly podcasts about children's and young adult literature
Why we have a Universal Service Fund
- The Fund was established under the 1993 Wisconsin Act 496 to ensure that all state residents receive essential telecommunication services and have access to advanced telecommunication capabilities.
- The Public Service Commission (PSC) is responsible for the policies and procedures of the Universal Service Fund.
- The PSC has developed programs to address a variety of specific needs: telecommunication access for low-income customers, high rate areas of the state, customers with disabilities, non-profit groups, libraries and educational institutions, and medical clinics and public health agencies.
In summary, the Universal Service Fund is an equitable and sustainable source of funding that supports a critical network of statewide library services.