PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY UPDATES
Action>> Spread the word about the Unite Against Book Bans campaign. Individuals and organizations may join/sign-up/endorse. Please sign up if you haven't yet done so.
https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/
https://twitter.com/UABookBans/status/1524026529264685058
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/fight-censorship
Action>> Ask your Representative to #FundLibraries & support critical investments in library facilities in FY23 federal appropriations.
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1560644454574424065
https://cqrcengage.com/ala/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=514578
Upcoming>> "Collaborating for Access: The Outlook for Library Ebook Legislation," panel/webinar, September 27, 1pm eastern. I'm on the panel with Briana McNamee, Kyle Courtney, and Irene Padilla with Michael Blackwell moderating. Hosted by DPLA with COSLA, ReadersFirst.
https://pro.dp.la/events/workshops
Congratulations to the new library members of the National Museum and Library Services Board, and especially to former ALA presidents Julius Jefferson and Jim Neal.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/08/12/president-biden-announces-key-appointments-to-boards-and-commissions-4/
ALA filed comments with the U.S. Department of Education urging improvements to the PSLF program: inclusion of privately contracted library workers, work week/health emergency clarifications, & more!
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1558143641172033536
ALA also formally provided the council resolution on forgiving student loan debt to the Biden Administration.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the FCC's decision to reallocate part of the 5.9 GHz band for unlicensed use. ALA is part of the WiFi Forward coalition, which advocates for robust unlicensed spectrum use.
https://twitter.com/katmburke/status/1558144257608880137
https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf/03F761E593EC43F58525889C0053F27C/$file/21-1130-1959069.pdf
FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel urges tribal libraries to apply for the E-rate program, newly enabled through the change in the definition of tribal libraries, as ordered by the FCC and advocated by ALA.
https://twitter.com/JRosenworcelFCC/status/1557723577608245249
Resources: https://www.fcc.gov/tribal-libraries
ALA Supports Information Access on Reproductive Health
https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/ala-supports-information-access-on-reproductive-health/
NEWS, ARTICLES, RESOURCES
Public Library Association: Public Library Staff and Diversity Report -- Results from the 2021 PLA Annual Survey
https://www.ala.org/pla/sites/ala.org.pla/files/content/data/PLA_Staff_Survey_Report_2022.pdf
OSTP Issues Guidance to Make Federally Funded Research Freely Available Without Delay
https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2022/08/25/ostp-issues-guidance-to-make-federally-funded-research-freely-available-without-delay/
ReadersFirst -- Digital Books -- "Costs Are Rising (What A Surprise)"
https://www.readersfirst.org/news/2022/8/17/costs-are-rising-what-a-surprise
Streaming topics cable TV viewing for the first time
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1560714530333855745
United Airlines promoting literacy
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1561322365614792707
National Cryptologic Museum re-opens on October 8. It is located at the edge of the NSA campus in Maryland.
https://www.nsa.gov/museum/
Alan S. Inouye, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Public Policy & Government Relations and Interim Associate Executive Director
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