The Tribal Library Coordinator for the Alaska State Library is Sorrel Goodwin sorrel.goodwin@alaska.gov.

Interested in Applying for E-rate discounts on Tribal Library Broadband?

The FCC Tribal Library webpage can be found at: fcc.gov/tribal-libraries

The FCC, in February 2022 released an order (FCC 22-8) clarifying tribal library eligibility and allowing Tribal Libraries to certify themselves through a tribal resolution. Any Tribal Resolution creating a tribal library must include the following:

1. have a physical space for the library (which may or may not be share with other tribal space),
2. provide regularly scheduled hours of when the library is open to the public,
3. provide staff to the library, and
4. provide materials for the public.

The other route to recognition as a Tribal Library is via the Alaska State Library. The Alaska State Librarian can certify any tribal library as eligible for E-rate if it meets the following criteria: The library must:

1. share resources free of charge with other libraries in Alaska,
2. have a regular schedule of library services,
3. have a dedicated facility for library purposes,
4. have an established history of providing library services and programs, and
5. have an annual budget with funds allocated for library materials and services.

If you would like to explore becoming a tribal library, the Alaska State Library is there to help. The Tribal Library webpage at the Alaska State Library can get you started! Go to:

https://lam.alaska.gov/alaska-tribal-libraries

Alaska Tribal Spectrum is tribal non-profit in Alaska that was awarded 2.5GHz spectrum from the FCC to get wireless broadband connection. It is an outgrowth of the coming together of Alaska tribal entities who formed the Alaska Tribal Network and applied to the FCC for spectrum. ATN is statewide and Tribally governed and has the mission to create last mile wireless networks in every Alaska Community.