ALAWON v5n82 (November 18, 1996) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/alawon/alawon-v5n82.txt ------------------- ALWN582.ASC follows -------------------- ================================================================= ALAWON Volume 5, Number 82 ISSN 1069-7799 November 18, 1996 American Library Association Washington Office Newsline In this issue: (98 lines) NTIA'S PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES PROGRAM FUNDS AVAILABLE TO LIBRARIES _________________________________________________________________ NTIA'S PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES PROGRAM FUNDS AVAILABLE TO LIBRARIES The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Commerce, has announced (Federal Register, November 8, 1996, v61, n218, Notices, 57982-85) that applications are available for planning and construction grants for public telecommunications facilities under the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP). Approximately $15.25 million is available for FY97 for PTFP grants pursuant to P. L. 104-208 the "Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1997." The amount of a grant award by NTIA will vary, depending on the approved project. For FY96, NTIA awarded $13.4 million in funds to 96 projects. The awards ranged from $3,592 to $791,727. According to NTIA's web site, in FY96 NTIA sent out more than 3,000 kits and received approximately 300 applications for the PTFP. Applicants for matching grants under the PTFP must file their applications on or before Wednesday, February 12, 1997. NTIA anticipates making grant awards by September 30, 1997. Parties interested in applying for financial assistance should refer to the PTFP Final Rules and to the authorizing legislation (47 U.S.C. Secs. 390-393, 397-399b) for additional information on the program's goals and objectives, eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria, and other requirements. This year there are numerous changes in the application requirements and process. The most important change is a complete revision of the criteria by which applications will be evaluated. Also, the PTFP Final Rules--published in the November 8 Federal Register--have been revised for this grant round. These rules, 15 CFR Part 2301 et seq., will be in effect for FY97 PTFP applications. Copies of the revised FY97 Rules will be distributed as part of the PTFP Application Kit. Applicants should not use older versions of the PTFP Final Rules. All persons and organizations on the PTFP's mailing list will be sent a PTFP Application Kit, including a copy of the current application form and the PTFP Final Rules. Those not on the mailing list may obtain the PTFP Application Kit by contacting the PTFP at the address listed below. Applicants whose applications were deferred in FY96 will be mailed pertinent PTFP materials and instructions for requesting reactivation of their applications. ADDRESSES: To obtain an PTFP Application Kit package, submit completed applications, or send any other correspondence, write to: Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications, NTIA/DOC, 14th Street and Constitution Ave., NW, Room H-4625, Washington, DC 20230. For further information contact Dennis R. Connors, Director, Public Broadcasting Division, telephone: (202) 482-5802; fax: (202) 482-2156 or e-mail ptfp@ntia.doc.gov. Information about the PTFP can also be obtained electronically via Internet. NTIA's revised PTFP Final Rules are located at URL: ; the Notice of Availability of Funds is located at URL: . The online FY97 PTFP Application Kit is located at URL: . Information is also available throught the NTIA BBS at (202) 482-1199 (set computer modems for 8 stop bits, 0 polarity). _________________________________________________________________ ALAWON is a free, irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe ala-wo [your_firstname] [your_lastname]" to . ALAWON archives gopher.ala.org; select ALA Washington Office Newsline. Visit our Web site at . ALA Washington Office 202.628.8410 (V) 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, #403 202.628.8419 (F) Washington, DC 20004-1701 Lynne E. Bradley, Editor Contributors: Claudette W. Tennant Deirdre Herman All materials subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. =================================================================