PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY UPDATES
> Digital Public Library of America Quarterly Board/Community Meeting: The Future of Digital Access, January 10, 2 p.m. eastern. With Jean-Claude Brizard, Alan Inouye, Michele Kimpton, and Greg Lucas.
https://twitter.com/jsb/status/1478863203694166019
> At the LibLearnX Conference: "Connecting the Dots: Engaging Stakeholders in Effective Library Advocacy" by the ALA Committees on Legislation, Library Advocacy, and Chapter Relations; and the United for Libraries division.
https://www.alaliblearnx.org/education_sessions
> At the LibLearnX Conference: "Strategies for Inclusion and Diversity; Building Business Communities in Public Libraries": Interactive conversation on ALA's Libraries Build Business initiative. Sunday, 2:30 p.m. eastern. Featuring Megan Janicki, Project Manager.
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1479536486454341632
> NTIA Request for Comments: For broadband/digital inclusion grant programs under the rubric of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Comments due February 4.
https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/iija_broadband_rfc.pdf
ALA disappointed in New York Governor's rejection of ebook equity legislation
https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/01/ala-disappointed-new-york-governors-rejection-ebook-equity-legislation
ALA publishes state legislative toolkit for legislative advocacy: Authored by the Public Policy and Advocacy Office, in partnership with the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the toolkit was developed in conjunction with the state legislative summit in October.
https://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2022/01/ala-publishes-state-legislative-toolkit-legislative-advocacy
Four articles in the last few weeks on library digital books reflecting recent developments:
"Libraries demand a new deal on ebooks: Legislation would force expanded access to digital titles" in the Boston Globe
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/31/business/libraries-demand-new-deal-ebooks/
"Hearing Set in AAP Suit Over Maryland E-book Law as Clock Ticks on New York Bill" in Publishers Weekly
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/88186-hearing-set-in-aap-suit-over-maryland-e-book-law-as-clock-ticks-on-new-york-bill.html
"Libraries enlist states in fight over ebook rules" in Axios
https://www.axios.com/libraries-enlist-states-in-fight-over-ebook-rules-f165794c-ffb7-4f0d-a6b8-498e8786c8f1.html
"Tillis Says State E-Book Laws Put Writing Profession at Risk" in Communications Daily (Consumer Electronics Daily)-subscription needed
https://consumerelectronicsdaily.com/news/2022/01/07/tillis-says-state-ebook-laws-put-writing-profession-at-risk-2201060001
"What Libraries Need to Know about the Digital Equity Act: Tips to maximize support and funding for your library's digital inclusion goals" in American Libraries
https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/what-libraries-need-to-know-about-the-digital-equity-act/
My op-ed "America needs more science and technology literacy" in The Hill
https://thehill.com/opinion/education/587357-america-needs-more-science-and-technology-literacy
Need funding for broadband or construction projects that enable connectivity? The Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund might be right for your library - use our resource to check eligibility & connect with state officials to learn their funding plans
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1478797139870461955
NEWS, ARTICLES, RESOURCES
Opinion: The golden age of public libraries dawns again, by the Editorial Board of the Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/01/01/public-libraries-golden-age/
January 1 is Public Domain Day. "Winnie-the-Pooh and more works will enter the public domain tomorrow," by National Public Radio.
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/31/1069434896/winnie-the-pooh-and-more-works-will-enter-the-public-domain-tomorrow
Biden-Harris Administration Extends Student Loan Pause Through May 1, 2022
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-extends-student-loan-pause-through-may-1-2022?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=
In the U.K. too: "Library users facing 'two tier system' with growing trend for eBooks pricing readers out of latest releases"
https://inews.co.uk/news/library-ebooks-price-latest-releases-1332590
The SHLB staff performing (singing and dancing) -- or something!
https://twitter.com/SHLBCoalition/status/1471561139293204487
Alan S. Inouye, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Public Policy & Government Relations
American Library Association
1615 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Office 202-403-8218 ▪ Mobile 202-276-6738 ▪ ainouye@alawash.org
Follow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye