Washington, DC -- September 30,2025. The American Library Association (ALA) and partners in the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, expressed disappointment with today's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote to end E-Rate support for library and school hotspot lending programs and school bus Wi-Fi.

The FCC's action overturns its 2024 order establishing hotspot lending programs for schools and libraries. These initiatives provided critical connectivity to millions of students and library patrons who lack reliable internet access at home.

"We don't yet know the full extent of what this vote means for libraries and schools and the communities we serve, but we do know that libraries were relying on sustainable E-Rate funding," said Sam Helmick, President of the American Library Association.

"ALA is both disappointed by the FCC's takebacks and discouraged by the lack of due process, which left no opportunity for staff, patrons and library advocates to give input on the draft order. For years, we have engaged in the rulemaking process with good faith, partnering with the FCC to fulfill their mandate to make reliable, high-quality broadband available nationwide. And today, the Commission openly voted to snatch back the opportunity to offer more Americans, especially in rural areas, the high-speed internet access to do the business of life online – pay bills, make telehealth appointments, fill out school applications – after the library closes."

The coalition emphasized that:

• Hotspot Lending Programs proved indispensable for families, small businesses, and veterans. In Appalachian Ohio, the Brown County Public Library's hotspot program allowed homeschool families to join virtual classes, entrepreneurs to run mobile businesses, and veterans to participate in telehealth appointments and certification testing.
• School Bus Wi-Fi enables students, particularly those in rural areas with long commutes, to utilize their travel time for coursework. In New Mexico, Farmington Municipal Schools equipped its 90 buses with Wi-Fi, serving over 6,500 students daily. Parents reported that children returned home with homework already completed.

Although disappointed by today's outcome, ALA, SHLB and its partners will continue to advocate for policies that expand broadband access and support libraries and other community anchor institutions.

Media Availability

ALA President Sam Helmick is available for interviews. Contact Shawnda Hines at shines@ala.org.

About American Library Association

The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America's libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For nearly 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

About Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition

The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C., and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.