SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) – The Sioux City Public Library will receive thousands of new technologies thanks to a federal grant.
The Emergency Connectivity Fund is a $7.2 billion federal program administered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that was passed as part of the American Rescue Plan Act passed in 2021 to provide COVID- 19 to the Americans. The Connectivity Emergency Fund was designed to help cover the costs of computers, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots and other connectivity devices for schools and public libraries.
According to data from the FTC website, the Sioux City Public Library received a total of $1.06 million over two rounds of funding.
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This money was used to provide 900 laptops and tablets as well as more than 1,000 5G access points and routers for extended payments. Laptops and tablets will be available for 3 month checkouts while access points and routers will be available for one year.
The equipment will be available from January 6 for those 18 and over with a valid library card. The program has been dubbed the Internet for All initiative.
The library plans to hold a kick off for the event on January 6 at the public library’s downtown campus for the event. Library staff and partners will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day to answer questions.
