U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., recently announced that schools and libraries across West Virginia are being awarded a total of $5,485,236 to assist students and members of the community with access to the Internet.

Rockefeller co-authored the E-Rate program, which has increased Internet access by providing discounts on telecommunication services to schools and libraries. This funding reflects the first three funding waves with more to come soon.

Since the inception of the E-Rate program, West Virginia has received more than $106 million in funding, with more than $5 million this year, to help schools and libraries pay the cost of telecommunications, Internet access, and internal connections.

Among the schools and libraries receiving funding are: Belington Public Library, $729.22; Elkins-Randolph County Public Library, $707.28; Five Rivers Public Library, $836.45; Grant County School District, $55,270.85; Hardy County School District, $44,511.81; Helvetia Public Library, $540.29; Lewis County School District, $74,224.55; Mountaintop Public Library, $538.27; Philippi Public Library, $1,343.04; Pioneer Memorial Library, $404.46; Pocahontas County School District, $100,925.98; Tucker County School District, $92,959.23; Tygart Valley Community Library, $464; Upshur County Public Library, $1,482.63; and Valley Head Public Library, $614.38.