ALA

Net neutrality and related broadband policies are complex, contentious subjects because all parties realize that the decisions made now could determine the distribution of power on the Internet for decades while also shaping its progress and development. Both sides in this debate have rich, powerful allies. On the pro side is the High Tech Broadband Coalition, whose members include employees from Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, and the Save the Internet Coalition. On the anti- side, phone companies and cable companies want the right to offer tiered services and charge higher rates for better-quality Internet access.

I've heard such great things about the Advocacy workshops that were given as part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded program, Turning the Page: Building Your Library Community, developed by the Public Library Association. And now you can take an online version to learn about creating community partnerships, building alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increasing funding for your library. 

Thursday of last week I was disappointed when I realized that I had missed  the Tuesday/Wednesday Technology Essentials online conference organized by WebJunction (fortunately, recordings are available), so my good friend and colleague Brenda Hough gave me her invitation to the ALA TechSource’s TechTrends: MidWinter 2010 webinar featuring short presentations by Jason Griffey, Sean Fitzpatrick, Greg Landgraf and Kate Sheehan. Each of these well-informed and observant speakers gave their unique perspective on the technology trends they saw emerging at the ALA MidWinter Conference in Boston.

The ALA Washington Office will be participating in the Google Policy Fellowship program for the summer of 2010. Google Policy Fellows work for ten weeks during the summer at ALA Washington or at other public interest organizations involved in debates on broadband and access policy, copyright reform, online privacy, and open government. In particular, ALA encourages master’s and doctoral students in library and information studies with an interest in national public policy to apply for this fellowship.

Check out the Google Policy Fellow website for pertinent details. Applications are due Monday, December 28, 2009.

The American Library Association (ALA) is encouraging public libraries to participate in the 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study online survey. The survey provides an important opportunity for libraries to share information regarding their computer and Internet resources and infrastructure, as well as funding, technology training and how they function as public access technology centers in their communities.

Our spokesmodel can't talk yet, so she is modeling for us instead. Quite a creative declaration for one so young, but her mother (Sarah Washburn) encourages her to express herself. Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read, the importance of the First Amendment, and the benefits of free and open access to information. It highlights the harms of censorship by spotlighting book bannings. 

The ALA Public Information Office and the Office for Research & Statistics are preparing to release the 2009 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study on Tuesday, September 15, and are seeking "real-life" stories to include as part of a pitch focusing on increased library use - including technology use - particularly for job-seeking and e-government.
 
There are a few different ways that you might be able to be part of the national pitch:

The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office is providing beneficial information for the library community in regards to stimulus funding. There is a new document, a web page and a webinar coming soon. Look to these resources to help you wade through the alphabet soup of ARRA, BTOP, PCC, etc.!

I made a quick trip to Chicago for one meeting, but only had time for a taste of the vast ALA offerings. One session I really wish I could have attended is the popular LITA Top Technology Trends session. The next best thing to being there, luckily, is the recorded version available at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1797127.

Another dispatch from the ever-informative ARSL listserv: ALA's first annual National Gaming Day @ your library is coming up on Nov. 15th this year!