The Universal Service Fund (USF) and Library System Funding

 

In his 2008-2009 budget proposal the Governor has recommended that library system funding be drawn from two sources: General Purpose Revenue (GPR) and the Universal Service Fund (USF).  GPR is the main state funding source from which most state programs are funded. 

 

The USF is one of a number of ‘segregated’ or special purpose funds:  funds which have been established through a special tax and which are to be used for specific purposes.  The USF, funded by a tax on telecommunications providers, is intended to provide telecommunications and advanced technology to poorer areas of the state.  Another example of a segregated fund is the Common School Fund, which is intended to provide library materials for school libraries. 

 

In the 2006-2007 state budget deliberations some legislators objected to use of segregated funds for purposes other than that for which they had been collected.   Funds were used from the segregated transportation fund to pay for non-transportation programs.  Similar objections have been raised about the Governor’s 2008-09 budget proposal and attempts to sharply limit or prohibit such uses of segregated funds are expected. 

 

About a third of state library system funding (and therefore Winnefox’s) comes from the USF. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statewide library programs & the Universal Service Fund

 

Quick Facts about the Universal Service Fund (USF)

  • The Fund was established under the 1993 Wisconsin Act 496 to ensure that all state residents receive essential telecommunication services and have access to advanced telecommunication capabilities.
  • The Public Service Commission (PSC) is responsible for the policies and procedures of the Universal Service Fund.
  • The PSC has developed programs to address a variety of specific needs:  telecommunication access for low-income customers, high rate areas of the state, customers with disabilities, non-profit groups, libraries and educational institutions, and medical clinics and public health agencies.

How the fund is used for library-related costs

  • BadgerLink
  • Newsline for the Blind
  • Public library system aids

Why the USF is an appropriate source of funding for library-related programs

  • Wisconsin’s 17 public library systems have budgeted a total of $10,701,934 for information technology services for 2007.
  • Library systems support high-speed telecommunications networks, shared online catalogs and circulation systems, electronic databases, and general IT support for their 388 member public libraries.  These services support the ability of Wisconsin residents to get access to information at their local library, as well as from home and the work place.
  • The number of Internet-connected public use computers available in Wisconsin’s 388 public libraries increased over 73% percent between 2000 and 2005, to over 4,300 of these computers.
  • During 2006, Wisconsin’s 388 public libraries provided over 7 million Internet computer sessions to the public.

Library system technology services are key to the success of statewide library resource sharing.  Every year, millions of library items are shared among all types of libraries throughout the state.  This statewide sharing of library materials means that everyone in Wisconsin has access to over 7 million titles owned by Wisconsin libraries of all types.  Resource sharing is also a cost-effective method of avoiding unnecessary duplication of purchasing.  Wisconsin now ranks #1 nationally in per capita public library interlibrary loans.

This page is from the Wisconsin Library Association:   http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/USF.htm