Update on Access legislation

The ALA Washington Office has posted a candid update on various Access legislation, including two new pieces of information:

• 21^st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010 – Requires Internet providers to make the internet accessible to the disabled.  HR 3101 passed in the House; the Senate companion bill S 3304 recently went to the full committee.
• Federal Research Public Access Act  of 2009 (FRPAA) – To provide free, open access to federally-funded research.  A hearing is being held for HR 5037. 

 For more details, see the District Dispatch posting.

Subcommittee markup looks good for Improving Literacy Through School Libraries

There has been positive movement regarding the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (ILTSL) program.  On Tuesday, the Senate Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee marked up the FY11 appropriations bill.  The final numbers have not yet been released, however the subcommittee has level funded ILTSL at the FY10 amount.  This is good news, since the program was slated to compete for funding with other literacy programs.  A full committee mark-up of this appropriations bill is scheduled for Thursday.  For a few more details, see the District Dispatch posting.

ALA submits comments on E-rate Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

The American Library Association (ALA) has submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on the E-rate Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.  For details on their comments and a link to the full document, please see the District Dispatch posting.

Library of Congress broadens exceptions in Digital Millennium Copyright Act

The Library of Congress has broadened the exceptions in Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to allow more use in the classroom and educational use in all disciplines.  For more details, please see the District Dispatch posting.

Library Advocacy Day – Wrap Up

Library Advocacy Day was held on Tuesday, June 29th.  Over 1600 library supporters, including more than 100 people from Maryland, rallied on Capitol Hill.  Then many visited legislators to encourge support of libraries.  In addition, over 1100 people contacted legislators through Capwiz during Virtual Library Advocacy Week.  Many thanks to all who participated!  Here is a collection of photos and a video on the live event.

• Video of the speakers during the Rally.
• Photos from the Maryland Library Community.
• Photos from other rally participants.
• Photos from the American Library Association’s Washington Office.
• Photos from the GaleCengage.

Also, you can read an article on the event on page 19 of the Summer edition of the The Crab, the newsletter of the Maryland Library Association.

ALA files comments on FCC’s “Third Way” for net neutrality

The American Library Association (ALA) has filed comments in support of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Framework for Broadband Internet Service, also known as the “Third Way.”  ALA feels that this is the best way to ensure both flexibility and equal access.  For more information, including a link to the comments, see the District Dispatch posting.

Webinar: Getting Policymakers to Listen

The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office will be offering a webinar on working with policymakers at all levels to make sure libraries are heard.  The webinar will be held on Tuesday, July 27^th from 4-5pm.  For more details, including a link to register, see the District Dispatch posting.

MD elections to bring in many new legislators; governor race in dead heat

These Gazette articles give some insight into the upcoming elections:

• Rookies could overrun Annapolis in 2011 – At least 26 legislators are not returning for another term and several incumbents are facing challengers.
• Rasmussen poll: Ehrlich and O’Malley in dead heat – The most recent poll shows Ehrlich ahead by 1%.

Senate passes bill to authorize historical commission

The Senate passed S 2872 which reauthorizes the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and makes grants available to preserve and make accessible US history records.  For more information, go to the District Dispatch posting.

ALA supports Nat’l Broadband Plan’s E-rate changes

In comments submitted by the American Library Association (ALA) to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), ALA urged the FCC to implement the changes to e-rate included in the National Broadband Plan.  The proposal includes streamlining the application process and working toward meeting the demand, among other things.  For more information, including a link to the comments, see the District Dispatch posting.