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Library Department recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize acceptance of a grant for two secure Aruba Education connectivity kits from Hewlett Packard's Aruba COVID-19 Pandemic Response program for the purpose of meeting the network needs of students and library patrons during the COVID-19 crisis; and
2) Delegate authority to the Library Department Director, or designee, to execute the Grant Agreement and all grant related documents including, but not limited to, amendments, requests for payment, reports, and all associated documents necessary to secure grant equipment and implement the approved grant program.
FUNDING: The grant provides two secure Aruba Education connectivity kits from Hewlett Packard's Aruba COVID-19 Pandemic Response program with a total value of $13,868, at no cost to the County.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
All County public libraries provide High-Speed Broadband internet access to all community members while they are visiting the libraries, however, the Broadband service is currently not accessible due to the COVID-19 closure of the library buildings. Working collaboratively with the El Dorado County Office of Education and the El Dorado County IT Department, we have created a special network that is available at all schools and public libraries that may be easily accessed by students, to help bridge the digital divide that is currently preventing learning in our County during the COVID-19 crisis. The secure Aruba Education connectivity kits provided by this donation from the Hewlett Packard COVID-19 Pandemic grant will allow us to boost High-Speed Broadband access into our library parking lots and will allow the following:
1) Extension of Library WiFi into two library parking lots during the hours of 7:00am to 9:00pm (South Lake Tahoe and Placerville libraries).
2) Allow students and community members to remotely access library Broadband internet from their cars, promoting social distancing while supporting their educational and/or essential internet needs.
The Information Technologies Department has been involved with this project and will assist to install and set up the equipment at two libraries (South Lake Tahoe and Placerville).
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Information Technologies Department
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No impact to Net County Cost, there is no grant match required.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Broadband/Technological Connectivity: Encourage and support through policy and resources the pursuit of local, state, and federal, private and public funding opportunities to support the County's infrastructure.
Good Governance: Approach large, complex and/or system-wide matters as one organization-Department will collaborate on projects and efforts that have cross-departmental impacts.
CONTACT
Carolyn Brooks
Director of Library Services