LTLS - Quick Connections

ALA files comments to NTIA and RUS on broadband stimulus programs

The American Library Association (ALA) today filed comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) regarding the implementation of the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).

The ALA’s comments called for increasing funding for the Public Computer Center Program, streamlining and simplifying the application and review process, and prioritizing funding for community anchor institutions.

“Libraries are uniquely positioned to deliver on the promise and objectives of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and the Broadband Initiatives Program,” said Carrie McGuire, director for the program on networks for the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP).

“We strongly encourage the NTIA and RUS to make changes to the program prior to Round 2 to ensure that libraries can take maximum advantage of this opportunity.”

The ALA’s comments assert that libraries are key partners in the programs’ goal of extending the opportunities available online to people across the United States. Libraries play the vital role of providing access to employment information, continuing education, government resources, small business opportunities and more; broadband connections are one of the critical elements that allow libraries to provide these essential resources to the public.

Get Legislators in Your Library!

One of the best ways to get legislators to listen (and, more important, support you) is to show them what your library does to benefit the community. Believe it or not, members of Congress still think of libraries as “those places with all the books.”

The good news is that your opportunities to make a real difference are just around the corner. Members of Congress and their staff will be coming back to their districts for the Thanksgiving and Winter District Work periods (exact dates to be determined).

Whether it’s a meeting with your trustees, friends or employees, a visit to your library or inviting legislators and staff to a holiday event, this session will offer practical tips for making these visits as worthwhile as possible.

Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.


Read more…

Updated public library technology issues briefs now available online

The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Research & Statistics (ORS) is making available online the most recent data published in the Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study (www.ala.org/plinternetfunding). The information provides up-to-date  issues briefs related to public library technology and job-seeking, lifelong learning and Internet connectivity.

Library staffs are encouraged to use these briefing papers as educational tools with community stakeholders, including elected officials, funders and program partners, as needed, to raise awareness of the specific – and sometimes unique – concerns of libraries around technology deployment. Staff may also use this format as a template for providing local data and examples related to a given topic. The briefing reports are not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to share key findings from the largest and longest-running study of Internet connectivity in libraries.

An Important Message to Illinois Public Libraries

Public Act 96-37 created a new Illinois public library construction program.  The new law requires the Secretary of State and the Illinois State Library to file with the General Assembly a comprehensive assessment report of the capital needs of all public libraries before January 1, 2010.  Filing this report is one of the steps that must be completed before the Secretary of State's office can implement the new program to assist public libraries with capital improvement projects.  The new grant program is funded with a $50 million Build Illinois Bond Fund appropriation contained in Public Act 96-35.

In order to compile the assessment report, I am requesting that each Illinois public library complete and submit the one-page online Capital Needs Assessment Survey by Friday, November 20, 2009, even if no capital improvements are needed. It is recommended that you have Acrobat 8.1 or higher installed on your computer to take the survey.

Keep on Saving Illinois Libraries

The Save Illinois Libraries campaign has been going so strong, it's being extended! Originally, the intent was to deliver as many messages as we could to our legislators between October 8 and October 23, while the General Assembly was back in session. But the response has been so overwhelming that we're going to keep it going! Over 3,500 messages have been sent to all 177 members of the General Assembly, and 10 have signed on to the pledge. Help raise those numbers! If you haven't sent a letter yet, you can do so now at the ILA CapWiz site. And if you've already sent a message, follow up with your legislators at their home office to get their commitment to saving Illinois libraries! Getting their commitment is essential to ensure continuation of the per capita grant funding that is vital to the services of public libraries, schools, and library systems.

Help Save Illinois Libraries!

Join the delegation from Lincoln Trail Libraries System and help Save Illinois Libraries!

Pictured above from left to right are Joe Sciacca, Allen Lanham, John and Jan Ison, Secretary of State Jesse White, Pat Boze, Laura Barnes, Ramona Rollins, Donna Schaal, Barb Lintner and Samson Adebayo. These are just some of the representatives of LTLS and its member libraries who attended the "Save Illinois Libraries" rally with keynote speaker Secretary White at the ILA convention in Peoria.  Visit the site now and contact your legislators using Capwiz.

You can also join the hundreds of advocates on Facebook and follow new updates on Twitter.

ALA calls on House subcommittee to use libraries, other anchor institutions to promote universal broadband

The American Library Association (ALA) applauds Rep. Rick Boucher (VA-D-9), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, and other subcommittee members for voicing support for providing broadband funding to anchor institutions during the second in a series of oversight hearings on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) broadband programs held yesterday.

CPSC Issues Rule Regarding Lead Standards

As the American Library Association (ALA) has emphasized since first enactment of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), concern for children’s safety is our first priority in providing materials to young patrons. On August 26, 2009, the CPSC’s final rule on children’s products containing lead was released. In the rule, CPSC confirmed that libraries have no independent obligation to test library books for lead under the law. CPSC also announced its intention to release a Statement of Policy specifically providing guidance for libraries with regard to the treatment of older children’s books that could potentially contain lead. According to our conversations with CPSC officials, that Statement of Policy should be released within the next several weeks.

2009 Illinois Election Workshop: Preparing for a 2010 Election

Are you ready for a 2010 election?

• What are the top-10 factors impacting success at the polls?
• When is the best time to return to the ballot, spring of fall of 2010?
• Why are public opinion polls essential?
• How can we determine voters’ tax threshold?
• What are the ins and outs of issue framing?
• Who are the most important voters to target?
• What are the key elements of a campaign budget and timeline?
• How can fund-raising efforts be significantly improved?
• What are the legal timelines and issues for 2010?
• What is the best way to stretch a campaign budget?
• How do we move our campaign from grassroots to grassfire?

There's NO fluff. It's 180 minutes of nonstop, great information.
We’re less than six months away from the February 2010 election. If you’re considering placing a tax measure on the spring ballot, it’s time to get your game plan in place.

HB211 Update

The Governor has signed HB211 which amends the Local Library Act to enable the dissolution of certain so-called "paperless" libraries, or "libraries in name only". If the library board of a library governed under the Local Library Act fails to hold regular meetings, or to pass a budget appropriation or levy a tax, or otherwise fails to perform the duties of the Local Library Act, the citizens of the library now have a means of dissolving the library through a petition and court order.  This would open the possibility of residents obtaining non-resident services or the area annexing to another library service area. For more information, see the full text of Public Act 096-0500.