PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY UPDATES
Rep. Andy Levin promoting the Build America's Libraries Act (BALA):
https://twitter.com/RepAndyLevin/status/1417526942698557442
Contact your Members of Congress on BALA: https://cqrcengage.com/ala/home?0
Apply for $ for broadband and technology via the Emergency Connectivity Act. Deadline in a few weeks...
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/ECF
Session on federal funds and libraries at the upcoming Digipalooza 21 conference. Panel with Crosby Kemper, IMLS, and Morgan Rose Pershing, Sacramento Public Library, moderated by Alan Inouye. August 3rd.
https://twitter.com/OverDriveLibs/status/1415030811942916103
Applications open for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Program, for school libraries:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/07/12/2021-14763/applications-for-new-awards-innovative-approaches-to-literacy-program
Sens. Markey and Van Hollen and Rep. Meng announce the SUCCESS Act, to extend the Emergency Connectivity Fund. Congressional release includes quote by ALA President Patty Wong.
https://twitter.com/SenMarkey/status/1418278447529463808
House Appropriations approves library funding increases: $9 million increase for Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and $3 million for Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL). Thank you library advocates for your hard work!
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1415816251771924484
ALA joins several other groups to urge the FCC to extend the E-rate gift rule waiver until June 30, 2022 to be consistent with the Emergency Connectivity Fund gift rule waiver.
https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/107160711826057/SHLB-CoSN-SETDA-SECA-ALA%20gift%20rule%20waiver%20ltr%20to%20FCC%20-%20July%2016%202021%20-%20FINAL.pdf
The American Library Association, through the Library Copyright Alliance, comments on the alignment of the Copyright Amendment Bill ("CAB") with South Africa's obligations set out in international treaties.
https://www.librarycopyrightalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/South-Africa_2021.pdf
Through the Re:Create Coalition, ALA endorses Biden Administration statement on the right to repair
https://www.recreatecoalition.org/press_release/recreate-statement-on-biden-administration-right-to-repair-order/
ALA is a partner for National Voter Registration Day
https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/2021-partners/
Nominate a librarian for the I Love My Librarian award
http://ilovelibraries.org/lovemylibrarian
NEWS AND ARTICLES
ARPA funds to local jurisdictions: "Tracking The Money: City to review how to use $3,049,921." St. Helens, OR allocates $200K to library uses. Library allocations possible in other local jurisdictions...
https://www.thechronicleonline.com/news/tracking-the-money-city-to-review-how-to-use-3-049-921/article_675c560c-e8a9-11eb-9d63-97cd3328f7ed.html
Webinar: Expanding Broadband in the Black Rural South by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
https://jointcenter.org/event/webinar-expanding-broadband-in-the-black-rural-south/
National Association of Counties New Report: BROADBAND TASK FORCE: High-Speed Internet Is Essential For All Counties.
https://naco.org/sites/default/files/documents/NACo-Broadband-Taskforce-report.pdf
The Beacon of the Public Library: Building places for ordinary people to read and share books has been a passion project of knowledge-seekers since before Roman times. Wall Street Journal
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-beacon-of-the-public-library-11625775553?reflink=desktopwebshare_twitter
Alan S. Inouye, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Public Policy & Government Relations
American Library Association
1615 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-403-8218 ▪ ainouye@alawash.org; ala.org/wo
Follow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye