How do library workers provide information services to immigrants and still stay within state laws that place limits on such activities? Next month, the American Library Association (ALA) will address immigration issues librarians face when they host free the webinar titled “Taking Action: Best Practices to Support Librarians and Library Workers Facing Laws Limiting Access to Information and Library Services to Immigrants.”
As part of the webinar, participants will hear recommendations from REFORMA members who supported immigrants despite difficult situations. REFORMA members will share resources that will help librarians advocate for services for immigrants and multi-ethnic populations.
Participants can expect to hear strategies and recommendations from the ALA Office for Diversity. Additionally, the ALA Washington Office will discuss ways to effectively communicate with elected officials and government agencies. Finally, the ALA Office for Library Advocacy will present successful examples from libraries in the USA, grassroots efforts, strategies and recommendations.
The report is the first to highlight state and local library BTOP projects nationwide and the improvements they have made to public access technology resources, digital literacy, and workforce development. Library projects in 29 states and the District of Columbia are featured in the report. ALA estimates about 20 percent of U.S. public libraries have benefited from BTOP funding.
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded just over $4 billion to 233 BTOP projects. The NTIA established BTOP to increase broadband access and adoption nationwide, and U.S. state and public libraries have been critical partners in this effort.
“Libraries have served as first responders in these tough economic times,” said ALA President Maureen Sullivan. “Millions of Americans have turned to us to gain new technology skills and access to specialized resources. BTOP has helped to enable expanded services and to develop the improved infrastructure to meet these community needs.”
Highlights from the report:
Nearly all statewide library projects included digital literacy training. More than 367,000 Coloradans increased their digital literacy skills through that state’s BTOP project. Ninety-five percent of those who took formal classes in Colorado stated they learned a valuable skill and would recommend the classes to others.
Nearly 600 people who participated in New York State Library’s “Broadband Express @ your library” programs and used online job resources went on to secure employment. The Nebraska Library Commission has more than double its grant goal (45 libraries) for upgrading broadband speeds in this mostly rural state. Of the 101 libraries upgraded so far, the average speed moved from 2.9 Mbps to 21.4 Mbps.
Alaska, Delaware, Maine, Oklahoma and Rhode Island have established new videoconferencing capabilities in several, if not all, libraries in their states. The Maine State Library is deploying its statewide network to provide legal information clinics through the Volunteer Lawyers Project. The clinics are offered in real time, allowing patrons at multiple locations, and especially in rural locations, to attend and ask questions directly of the presenting attorney.
Recent research from the Pew Internet Project finds that the availability of free computers and Internet access (including Wi-Fi) now rivals book lending as a vital library service. In a national survey of Americans ages 16 and older, 77 percent say free access to computers and the Internet is a “very important service” of libraries, while 80 percent say the same for borrowing books. As 62 percent of libraries report being the only source of free public access to computers and the Internet in their communities, the critical role libraries play in their communities is amplified.
“With more than 16,400 locations providing public access to computers and the Internet, libraries combine technology infrastructure, trained staff and relevant digital content to support digital opportunity,” said Larra Clark, director of the ALA’s Program on Networks. “BTOP’s strategic investments and partnerships must continue to be leveraged and broadened to truly transform our libraries and communities.”
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with approximately 58,000 members in academic, public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
While it’s a tradition that many top administration posts will turn over in a president’s second term, the American Library Association (ALA) is sorry to hear that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will step down (pdf) in the coming weeks. From the National Broadband Plan to Universal Service Fund reform to digital literacy, the Chairman, FCC Commissioners and FCC staff have engaged ALA and libraries in a wide range of important proceedings. Among the most significant highlights are the Chairman’s work around E-rate reforms, broadband adoption, and network neutrality.
Most recently, Chairman Genachowski sent video greetings to attendees at the 2013 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle. In the video (below), he thanks librarians for their vital role in supporting digital literacy. The ALA and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) have worked closely with the FCC to support broadband adoption–with a focus on digital literacy training through our nation’s 16,400 public library locations.
“The digital divide has an impact on every aspect of society: our economy, education, health care, and civic engagement,” said ALA President Maureen Sullivan. “The ALA is proud to work with the FCC, IMLS and others to support our state and local libraries in making sure everyone in our communities can fully participate in the digital age.”
Last week, Connect2Compete and the Ad Council launched EveryoneOn–a three-year national campaign to empower people by giving them the tools and confidence they need to improve their lives through the Internet. Worcester (Mass.) Public Library and St. Paul Public Library were among the libraries that helped launch the effort (and shared their photos!) on 3.21.13. The journey to this launch stretches back to the FCC’s announcement of the Connect2Compete public-private partnership, which included IMLS, in October 2011.
“From the time of the National Broadband Plan, Chairman Genachowski has highlighted the need for broadband adoption as well as access as a national priority,” said Larra Clark, director of the ALA Program on Networks. “Through the bully pulpit and the Public-Private Initiative on Broadband, he has recognized and worked to address the barriers to broadband adoption, including digital literacy, relevancy and cost.”
The Chairman spearheaded the first National Broadband Plan, which recently marked its third anniversary and serves as the foundation for much of the FCC’s work since its release. The ALA appreciated the opportunity to work with FCC staff to provide input into the plan’s development, and support research related to broadband adoption in low-income communities. (The ALA District Dispatch provides an ongoing archive of blog posts related to the broadband plan.)
Even more ambitiously, Chairman Genachowski undertook network neutrality and reform of the Universal Service Fund, which touched on each of the four programs that make up the fund, including E-rate. As part of E-rate modernization in fall 2010, the FCC simplified the application process, increased the cap slightly by indexing it to inflation, and expanded access to low-cost fiber–all changes that benefit libraries and schools. The E-rate program has played a pivotal role in helping libraries connect their users to the Internet, and it continues to be a critical program for supporting library connectivity and information service needs.
The FCC also negotiated a difficult decision on network neutrality that protects the openness of wired broadband networks. An open and neutral Internet is necessary to ensure that the public’s
access to library content and services will receive the same priority as their access to entertainment and other commercial offerings. Congressional challenges to overturn the Open Internet Order were unsuccessful, but a legal challenge from Verizon/MetroPCS will be heard in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals sometime this year.
“ALA thanks Chairman Genachowski for his leadership on these issues of vital importance to libraries and the communities we serve,” Clark added. “As with any policy engagement, we didn’t get everything we wanted from every conversation, but, under Genachowski, the FCC actively sought out ALA and libraries as part of the solution to many of the challenges this country faces in ensuring digital opportunity through broadband access and adoption.”
On behalf of America’s libraries, we wish Chairman Genachowski the very best in his future endeavors–and hope they include libraries and our mission to improve the public’s access to information and technology.
As Director of OITP's Program on Networks, and Associate Director of OITP's Program on America’s Libraries for the 21st Century, Larra’s responsibilities include overall management of OITP’s telecommunications portfolio and day-to-day management of our projects in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Previously, she served as the project manager in the ALA Office for Research & Statistics for three years.
The American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Information Technology Policy is seeking applicants for the 2013 Google Policy Fellows program. As part of the annual summer fellowship, the selected fellow will receive a $7,500 stipend and spend 10 weeks in residence at the ALA office in Washington, D.C. to learn about national policy and complete a major project.
Applications are due by Friday, March 15, 2013. ALA encourages all interested graduate students to apply and, of course, especially those in library and information science-related academic programs. Apply now: http://www.google.com/policyfellowship/index.html
The fellows work in diverse areas of information policy that include digital copyright, e-book licenses and access, future of reading, international copyright policy, broadband deployment, telecommunications policy, open access to information, free expression, digital literacy, online privacy, the future of libraries generally, and many other topics.
The Google Washington office will provide an educational program for all of the fellows, such as lunchtime talks and interactions with Google Washington staff. The day-to-day work agenda of the fellowship will be under the full control of ALA and the fellow.
OITP began its participation at the program’s founding in 2008. Last year, Derek Attig of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign served as the 2012 Google Fellow. Further information about the program and host organizations is available at the Google Public Policy Fellowship website.
We are pleased to participate in the Google Policy Fellows program for 2013 . OITP began its participation at the program’s founding in 2008 and thus this will be our sixth year in this excellent initiative.
For the summer of 2013, the selected fellow will spend 10 weeks in residence at the ALA Washington Office to learn about national policy and complete a major project. Google provides the $7,500 stipend for the summer, but the work agenda is under the full control of ALA and the fellow. The Google Washington office provides an educational program for all of the fellows, such as lunchtime talks and interactions with Google Washington staff. Derek Attig of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign served as our 2012 fellow.
The fellows work in diverse areas of information policy that include digital copyright, e-book licenses and access, future of reading, international copyright policy, broadband deployment, telecommunications policy, open access to information, free expression, digital literacy, online privacy, the future of libraries generally, and many other topics.
In addition to ALA, this year’s roster of participating organizations includes other leading national public interest organizations such as the Center for Democracy and Technology, Creative Commons, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, National Consumers League, National Hispanic Media Coalition, New America Foundation, and Public Knowledge. In addition, the program expanded to include participating organizations in Europe and Africa.
Further information about the program and host organizations is available at the Google Public Policy Fellowship website. Applications are due by March 15, 2013. ALA encourages all interested graduate students to apply and, of course, especially those in library and information science-related academic programs.
The American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Information Technology Policy is seeking applicants for the 2013 Google Policy Fellows program. As part of the annual summer fellowship, the selected fellow will receive a $7,500 stipend and spend 10 weeks in residence at the ALA office in Washington, D.C. to learn about national policy and complete a major project.
