[Libs-Or] FCC’s net neutrality order protects libraries as ‘consumers,’ lacks strong protections for library services to the public

[Diedre Conkling]

FCC’s net neutrality order protects libraries as ‘consumers,’ lacks strong
protections for library services to the
public<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=5517>
December 21, 2010 ( No
Comments<https://mail.google.com/mail/html/compose/static_files/blank_quirks.html#comments>)

For Immediate Release
December 21, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – The American Library Association (ALA), the Association of
Research Libraries (ARL), and EDUCAUSE say the Federal Communications
Commission’s (FCC) passage of its network (net) neutrality order today is a
first step toward restoring an open Internet but does not go far enough to
ensure community anchor institutions’ content and services can be equally
accessed by the public.

While the groups say the FCC’s clarification of the word “consumer”
guarantees the rule will apply to libraries and other educational interests,
additional provisions sought by the
associations<http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/wo/washnews/pdfs/ala_arl_edu_121310_fcc.pdf>are
needed to achieve “true” net neutrality.  The order does not hold
wireless to the same non-discriminatory standards as wireline access,
despite the growing number of libraries, higher education institutions, and
users that utilize wireless technology to access content and information.
Additionally, the practice of paid-prioritization must be banned to protect
libraries and educational interests from being charged more to provide the
public with the same quality of access to their educational and non-profit
content.

The Internet has become a cornerstone of the educational, research, and
computer services that libraries and other anchor institutions offer to
students, teachers, and the general public.  These institutions rely upon
the widespread public availability of an open, affordable Internet to
provide equitable access to content and services including distance learning
classes, e-government services, licensed databases, job-training videos,
medical and scientific research, and many other essential services.

The groups thank U.S. Reps. Doris Matsui (CA-5), Edward Markey (MA-7) and
Anna Eshoo (CA-14) for bringing attention to the needs of community anchor
institutions in their recent
letter<http://www.matsui.house.gov/images/stories/fcc_community_anchor_institutions_12_17_10.pdf>to
the Commissioners.  The ALA, the ARL and EDUCAUSE anticipate the FCC’s
efforts to address these additional concerns and to provide long-term
oversight and enforcement of today’s rule.
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http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=5517

-- 

*Diedre Conkling
Lincoln County Library District
P.O. Box 2027
Newport, OR  97365
Phone & Fax:  541-265-3066
**Work email:  **diedre at lincolncolibrarydist.org*<diedre at lincolncolibrarydist.org>
*  NEW**
Home email:  **diedre08 at gmail.com* <diedre08 at gmail.com>
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