PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY UPDATES
--> Fund Libraries campaign launched for appropriations FY23. Time to connect with your Members of Congress!
https://twitter.com/ALALibrary/status/1509910212353961993
https://cqrcengage.com/ala/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=514122
--> Libraries, library organizations, and friends of libraries: Please endorse Airwaves for Equity, for additional $ for digital equity:
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1509233010582994950
--> Third Application Window will open for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, FCC -- on April 28, so now is the time to make plans.
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1507015048870301703
--> Keeping Communities Connected: New report spotlights creative library broadband services during the pandemic
https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/03/keeping-communities-connected-new-report-spotlights-creative-library
--> ALA Hiring for a Deputy Director, Broadband & Digital Inclusion based in Washington, D.C. Join us! Spread the word.
https://recruiting.ultipro.com/AME1043ALA/JobBoard/dfe6e811-9bc3-4dec-9055-a545370be9fa/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=cdaefa68-d689-40bf-bafd-4b44f8401b4b
Reauthorization of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act just introduced in the House of Representatives, which would help libraries meet communities' need for workforce development. An active area for ALA lobbying.
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1509930361106669588
In general, the president's FY23 budget proposal is positive for libraries--but not near enough. ALA press release.
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1508939210245476355
https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/03/white-house-fy2023-budget-proposal-positive-not-enough-libraries
Disheartened by mixed FY 2022 budget outcomes, ALA predicts hard fight in FY 2023 for federal funding for libraries
https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/03/disheartened-mixed-fy-2022-budget-outcomes-ala-predicts-hard-fight-fy-2023
"What we found overall in this polling is that vast majorities of all voters from all political persuasions, and parents, especially don't support book bans. What we're hearing from is a very vocal minority." Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Good Morning America.
https://twitter.com/ALALibrary/status/1507870264687738882
https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/new-ala-poll-shows-voters-oppose-book-bans/
Digital books panel at the PLA Conference with panel Michael Blackwell, Lisa Rosenblum, Kelvin Watson, and Alan Inouye featured in "E-Access, Innovation, and Adoption | PLA 2022" in Library Journal
https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/news/e-access-innovation-and-adoption-pla-2022
Libraries Build Business cohort at the PLA Conference in Portland
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1506690086506803204
ALA and ACRL joined SPARC and others in a letter to urge Congress to protect public access language in the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act.
https://sparcopen.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/OAWG-USICA-Letter.pdf
ALA joined the Computer and Communications Industry Association and other allies in a letter to oppose S. 3880, the (NOT) "SMART Copyright Act."
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1509308013693255680
FCC grants request for an extension to submit comments on the e-rate portal proceeding.
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1504220277164716041
NEWS, ARTICLES, RESOURCES
Finally got around to perusing "Media and Democracy: Unpacking America's Complex Views on the Digital Public Square" from the Knight Foundation. Chock full of interesting data--highly recommend a look.
https://knightfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/KMAD-2022-1.pdf
White House internships will be paid for the first time, opening the doors of the prestigious program to lower-income applicants
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1503886784643665931
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
