CT State Library | Federal Library Funding in Connecticut

E-Rate provides funds for schools and libraries to improve their broadband access. In FY2024, 76 CT libraries saved a total of $497,221. 

The CT State Library was awarded an IMLS Grant (LG-254838-OLS-23) through the National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program in the amount of $ $249,948 to administer a regional digital navigator sharing plan to assist CT residents with technology questions and tasks in partnership with seven participating CT public libraries, including Bridgeport Public Library, Derby Neck Public Library, Hamden Public Library, Howard Whittemore Memorial Library (Naugatuck), New Haven Free Public Library, West Haven Public Library, and Woodbridge Town Library. The project team will design and implement a replicable model for regional sharing of digital navigation services to underserved residents. The plan is engaging 2,000 residents in need, distributing 400 computers, and creating a toolkit for replication of such a regional library collaboration model. The implementation of this model is expected to inform those responsible for Digital Equity Act projects across the United States with ways to introduce centralization and efficiencies into the smaller navigation project models.

This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Connecticut State Library.