What special libraries, such as libraries at state institutions or county law libraries, are eligible?
It is our interpretation based on the FCC’s Order that special libraries are not eligible to receive universal service discounts, to the extent that the definition of “special library” does not meet the following criteria. The eligibility criteria require that the organization be a library or library consortium that is eligible for assistance from a State library administrative agency under the Library Services and Technology Act. An additional requirement for academic libraries is that they be funded independent of the funding of any institution of higher education. “Independent” means that the budget of the library is completely separate from any institution of higher institution. The FCC’s definition of library does include research libraries, which means a library that makes publicly available library services and materials suitable for scholarly research and not otherwise available to the public; and is not an integral part of an institution of higher education. “Private Libraries
