[Libs-Or] [Fwd: [alacro-l] ALA Files Comments to FCC on National Broadband Plan]

[Suzanne Sager]

FYI

Suzanne L. Sager
Oregon ALA Chapter Councilor

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[alacro-l] ALA Files Comments to FCC on National Broadband Plan
Date: 	Tue, 9 Jun 2009 12:25:37 -0400
From: 	Michael Dowling <mdowling at ala.org>
Reply-To: 	alacro-l at ala.org
To: 	ALACRO-L <alacro-l at ala.org>



Yesterday ALA filed comments 
<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/alanoi6-8.pdf> 
before the FCC in response to a Notice of Inquiry on the development of 
a national broadband plan (as required by the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act of 2009). In our comments, we argue that America's 
libraries are uniquely situated to deliver on the Commission's goals for 
the plan.

Libraries are the premier public computing centers in America's 
communities, providing access to online education, job searching and 
skills training, government services and more. Further,  libraries serve 
as information hubs for their communities, and in areas where a 
compelling business case for broadband deployment is difficult to make, 
libraries serve as "community anchor institutions," stimulating 
development that helps entire communities. The key role of libraries 
should be recognized and supported in the national broadband plan.

However, libraries face barriers to truly fulfilling their promise as 
key community broadband institutions. First, libraries are facing a 
capacity crisis. We urge the commission to support a "fiber to the 
library" program to help libraries get the future-proof connectivity 
they need. Second, libraries face decreasing budgets, so programs like 
the federal E-rate are more important than ever. The Commission should 
reopen the question of how best to streamline and simplify the E-rate 
program.

View article... <http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=3003>

(From District Dispatch)

 


-- 
Portland State University logo

Suzanne L. Sager
Library East, Cataloging
Portland State University

503-725-8169
503-725-5799
sagers at pdx.edu

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