[Libs-Or] FW: [ALACRO-L:3026] State Libraries and Library Systems Need to Comment on CAELAby Dec 21

[Leah Griffith]

State Libraries and Library Systems Asked to send Comments by December
21 on CAELA!!

The FCC currently has open a "Reply Comment" period for submitting
comments > regarding the extension of CALEA (Communications Assistance
for Law Enforcement Act) to "facilities-based broadband Internet 
access providers." In brief, such an extension will make it easier for
the government to track
Internet-based communications.  (For background, see ALA's CALEA info
at http://www.ala.org/ala/washoff/WOissues/techinttele/calea/calea.htm 


See also the EDUCAUSE CALEA FAQ at
http://www.educause.edu/FederalPolicyProgram/CALEAFrequentlyAs 
kedQuestions/

ALA's position is that CALEA should not apply to libraries that procure
broadband Internet access via commercial ISPs and that regional library
networks, or other municipal networks, that provide or support library
interconnections and route traffic to the public Internet are also
exempt from the FCC's CALEA Order.  
 
It must be noted that the specific technical requirements to comply
with CALEA have not yet been released by the FCC.  However, if libraries
and library networks need to comply, it could require costly network
upgrades.
In addition, there are issues of patron privacy too. 
 
ALA's initial CALEA comments were filed with the FCC in November 
http://www.ala.org/ala/washoff/WOissues/techinttele/calea/CALE 
Acmtsnov05.pdf

The FCC's Reply Comment period is now open through Wednesday, December
21, 2005.  The ALA encourages state libraries and library networks to
file reply comments supporting ALA's CALEA comments.  

ALA has drafted a template supporting the ALA's position.  This can be
used to help craft your
Reply Comments.  Please contact the ALA Office for Information
Technology Policy at 1-800-545-2433. 
Filing comments is easy and can be done by selecting the "Submit a
Filing" option on the right menu of the FCC's website at
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/.  

The ALA thanks you in advance for submitting comments. 

    -Bob Bocher, ALA Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP)
Advisory Committee

____________________________________ 
Bob Bocher, Technology Consultant 
WI Dept. of Public Instruction
Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning  
Madison, WI 53707-7841 608-266-2127 fax 608-266-2529  
robert.bocher at dpi.state.wi.us  
http://www.badgerlink.net