Weekly News Digest

August 18, 2026 — In addition to this week's NewsBreaks article and the monthly NewsLink Spotlight, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) offers Weekly News Digests that feature recent product news and company announcements. Watch for additional coverage to appear in the next print issue of Information Today. CLICK HERE to view more Weekly News Digest items.

---

ALA Leads a Call for Comments to FCC Over E-Rate

ALA shared that in response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) publishing its rulemaking about reviewing E-Rate in the Federal Register, it has issued a joint statement with its co-chairs in EdLiNC (Education and Libraries Networks Coalition), which include The School Superintendents’ Association (AASA). EdLiNC “reaffirmed its strong support for the E-Rate program and called on the [FCC] to ensure its ongoing rulemaking remains focused on the program’s core purpose: providing affordable, reliable connectivity for schools and libraries across the nation.” ALA asks members to file a comment with the FCC by Oct. 13.

ALA is sending the following email to members and advocates (reproduced with permission):

The FCC needs to hear from E-Rate advocates like you ...

Hi,

Early this summer, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its intention to scale back or end the federal E-Rate program, which makes broadband affordable for 73% of U.S. public libraries. Thanks to you, congressmembers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have received more than 12,000 emails from ALA advocates asking them to #SaveOurErate.

On Friday, August 14, the FCC officially posted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on E-Rate in the federal register signaling a 60-day window for public comments. Just as you would contact your elected congressmembers, anyone can submit public comments in response to a proposed FCC rule.

We know that E-Rate matters to you, so we’re inviting you to file a comment with the FCC and tell them why it matters to you. Why is fee-free high-speed internet at the library so important? What does library broadband enable you and your community to do?

You don’t have to be a policy expert or even a library professional to submit comments on E-Rate. The most important thing is to personalize your comments, drawing from your own experience.  

Filing comments online is not hard! ALA has simplified the process for you with a letter template and simple instructions:

Guidance for submitting a standard filing provides a letter template and suggestions for library and information professionals to submit detailed comments on behalf of their organization. Standard filings include specific data that shows the reach of their library services, such as the number of public computer/Wi-Fi sessions or the amount of E-Rate funding their library receives annually.

The deadline for submitting comments is midnight Eastern time on Tuesday, October 13. 

If this is your first time filing a comment on public record, bravo for giving it a go! If you’re not ready to file comments, you can still contact your congressmembers about protecting E-Rate. Every action counts. 

We know your attention and your time is precious. Thank you for showing up as an advocate for libraries and communities that rely on them.  

Lisa R. Varga

Chief Advocacy Officer, American Library Association

PS: If you work at a library that participates in E-Rate, use ALA’s new guide for hosting a congressional visit at your library. The August recess is prime time to show your elected leader the digital services that E-Rate powers!

---

Send correspondence concerning the Weekly News Digest to NewsBreaks Editor Brandi Scardilli

---