PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY UPDATES
--> Now: Seeking applicants for Deputy Director in charge of digital inclusion and broadband policy for ALA.
https://recruiting.ultipro.com/AME1043ALA/JobBoard/dfe6e811-9bc3-4dec-9055-a545370be9fa/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=cdaefa68-d689-40bf-bafd-4b44f8401b4b
--> Now: Apply to be a member of the ALA Policy Corps, Cohort IV.
https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2021/10/ala-seeks-applicants-national-policy-corps
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/ala-policy-corps-application
à Now: Join ALA President Patty Wong for her next Connectivity Corner that focuses on school librarians and closing the digital divide. Nov 3, 6pm eastern.
https://twitter.com/VotePattyWong/status/1453160191327981576
--> Now: Register for ALA's LibLearnX conference in January-presented virtually.
https://twitter.com/ALALibrary/status/1449066294708477965
ALA welcomes new exemptions in Section 1201 of the DMCA. We've submitted comments to advocate for changes.
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/copyright/1201-press-release-new-exemptions.pdf
The Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (from ARPA) is designed to support broadband infrastructure improvements in communities around the country. Learn more about how your library could be eligible for support, and how to work with state leaders to apply for funding from this new ALA handout:
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/advleg/tools/Coronavirus%20Capital%20Projects%20Fund_ALA.pdf
ALA welcomes nominations of Jessica Rosenworcel and Gigi Sohn at the FCC and Alan Davidson at NTIA
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1453147954244726786
FCC extends gift rule waiver for E-rate: "...ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continue to present compelling and unique circumstances that merit further extension of the E-Rate program gift rule waiver through June 30, 2022."
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1448582159279829012
A world without Section 230 -- panel session hosted by Internet Works, includes Public Knowledge, Patreon, Discord, and ALA
https://twitter.com/_InternetWorks_/status/1453444668209913865
NEWS AND ARTICLES
ARPA money still being allocated (what about your community?). "Appleton [Wisc.] earmarks $2 million in federal COVID-19 aid to support renovation and expansion of library."
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1449310620143296515
Emergency Connectivity Fund awards are rolling out: Rochester (Minn.) Public Library to receive $600K from the Emergency Connectivity Fund to purchase and lend out 1000 Chromebooks.
https://krocnews.com/rochester-public-library-will-be-giving-away-1000-chromebooks/
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff talks about the importance of libraries, museums, archives, and the arts and humanities, and how they have sustained us through the pandemic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZvn4eacjIc
PRH Once Again Extends Temporary E-book, Digital Audio Terms for Libraries
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/87696-prh-once-again-extends-temporary-e-book-digital-audio-terms-for-libraries.html
Penguin Random House and The Association for Rural and Small Libraries are teaming up on a library grants program. The program launched today and will award grants of up to $2,500 to libraries that demonstrate a true need.
https://twitter.com/penguinrandom/status/1452702920286236675
We Mastered Zoom From Home. Just Wait for Hybrid-Office Zoom. Wall Street Journal.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/hybrid-office-zoom-hiccups-11634135291
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