ALAWON v6n51 (June 30, 1997) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/alawon/alawon-v6n51 ================================================================= ALAWON Volume 6, Number 51 ISSN 1069-7799 June 30, 1997 American Library Association Washington Office Newsline In this issue: (162 lines) ALA ANNUAL CONFERENCE EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT NEEDED AFTER CDA RULING COL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE _________________________________________________________________ EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT NEEDED AFTER CDA RULING At Saturday's ALA Legislative Update, sponsored by the Committee on Legislation (COL), Leslie Harris, ALA Washington Office consultant on First Amendment issues, called Thursday's Supreme Court decision the "First Amendment manifesto of the 21st century." Harris cautioned, however, that there will be inevitably "sons and daughters of CDA," even though the court set a high constitutional hurdle for any such legislation to overcome. She indicated that libraries may be the target of future legislation and legal challenges. "There is no fat lady and she never sings," said Harris. Though the Supreme Court agreed with ALA and other plaintiffs that the law was so broad and poorly defined that it violated the free speech rights of adults, this policy arena will require continued vigilance. She applauded ALA's "Librarian's Guide to Cyberspace For Parents & Kids" project -- which includes a selection of "50 Great Sites for Kids" recommended by children's librarians -- as an example of how librarians can refocus the debate by promoting positive aspects of library Internet services, education, and ways to empower individuals and parents rather than censorship and filtering. Harris also reported on President Clinton's commitment to convene a meeting of industry leaders and groups representing teachers, parents and librarians. The President said, "If we are to make the Internet a powerful resource for learning, we must give parents the tools they need to make the Internet safe for children." He added, "With the right technology and ratings system, we can ensure that our children don't end up in the red light district of cyberspace." Some 75 percent of public libraries now have some basic level of access to the Internet, according to statistics released this week by the Public Library Data Service of the Public Library Association, a division of ALA. "The Librarian's Guide to Cyberspace For Parents & Kids" brochure is available by visiting http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites or by calling PIO for a free copy at 800/545-2433 ext. 5044/5041. The collection of 50 "great sites" will be updated and expanded on an ongoing basis. To contribute to that list, please send your suggestions to PIO at pio@ala.org. _________________________________________________________________ COL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Saturday morning's Legislative Update, sponsored by the Committee on Legislation, included segments on federal funding and library programs as well as reports on Next Generation Internet (NGI) and getting library telecommunications discounts. An appeal for "urgent action" by ALA members on library funding issues was made by ALA's Washington Office. Diane Frankel, director of the new Institute of Museum and Library Services which now administers the LSTA program, stressed information empowerment through special programs and and information access through technology. Frankel emphasized that there are ample opportunities for libraries in the new National Leadership Grants. Draft guidelines for these grants are available for public comment. Also, numerous staff positions, including IMLS Deputy Director, are open. For more information, visit booth #620 or call IMLS 202/606-5226. Carol Rasco, senior advisor to Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley and director of the America Reads Challenge, underscored collaboration within the communities, family literacy, and teacher development as focus points in the President's call to have all children reading well and independently by the end of the 3rd grade. She expressed her thanks to the library community and gave an update on the progress of the America Reads proposed legislation. For more information visit http://www.ed.gov or call 202/401-8888 or 800/USA-LEARN. Carol Henderson, executive director of the ALA Washington Office, requested "urgent action" by ALA members on library funding issues. It is expected that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education will meet July 8 to determine funding for FY98 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). ALA is requesting $150 million rather than the flat funding of $136 million. Also at stake is funding for ESEA Title VI, the block grant that allows for funding of school library materials. Library supporters should contact their Representative and ask him or her to speak to members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education in favor of funding for the library programs. While Congress is currently on recess, library supporters were urged to call their Representative's local district office or the Capitol Switchboard at 202/224-3121. Rick Weingarten, ALA Washington Office senior policy fellow, gave an update on Next Generation Internet (NGI). Weingarten said that people have two main concerns with Next Generation Internet: keeping up with the technology and not being left behind. He added that ALA recently responded to a draft concept paper on the issue and that ALA's role as an interested observer may become more active. The final segment was devoted to universal service and library telecommunications discounts. Andrew Magpantay, director of ALA's Office for Information Technology Policy, described the status of the recent Federal Communications Commission rulemaking authorizing discounts on telecommunications services ranging from 20% to 90%. Although there has been one law suit filed by a regional Bell operating company, it does not appear that at this time the new program will be slowed down or stalled because of the litigation. Network coordinator for the California State Library, Barbara Will, emphasized the important role of state library agencies in the proceedings on universal service before state public utility commissions. KG Ouye, San Mateo city librarian, reported on her experiences as chair of a state library and education taskforce developing recommendations for the California Public Service Commission. The allies and supporters made during these telecommunications proceedings have also provided increased their support for general library services as well. Susan Barrett, director of the Pacific division of National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), described NECA's role as the "banker" of universal service funds. As the interim administrator, NECA will manage the funding for telecommunications discounts for libraries and schools. NECA also provides more information at http://www.neca.org. Specific questions can be addressed to wstern@neca.org. The program concluded with a wide-ranging question and discussion session on the kinds of local efforts that are needed to implement these discounts. _________________________________________________________________ ALAWON is a free, irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office. To subscribe, send the message: subscribe ala-wo [your_firstname] [your_lastname] to listproc @ala.org. ALAWON archives at http://www.ala.org/washoff/alawon. Visit our Web site at http://www.alawash.org. ALA Washington Office 202.628.8410 (V) 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, #403 202.628.8419 (F) Washington, DC 20004-1701 800.941.8478 (V) Lynne E. Bradley, Editor Deirdre Herman, Managing Editor Contributors: Carol C. Henderson Claudette Tennant All materials subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. =================================================================