These are just a few passages we thought were noteworthy. So, make sure to read the entire post.
After conducting its initial analysis of the Federal Communications Commission’s(FCC) National Broadband Plan, the American Library Association (ALA) supports several initiatives suggested in the plan, such as the National Digital Literacy Program and the modernization of the E-rate Program.
“Other proposals, including the Connect America Fund, Civic Engagement, and Training Teachers in Digital Literacy, are good concepts but call for additional measures to ensure the needs of all Americans – including vulnerable populations – are met,” said Dr. Alan S. Inouye, director of ALA’s Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP).
National Digital Literacy Program
ALA enthusiastically supports the launch of this Program. Providing individuals with the guidance and training necessary to search, locate, obtain, and use all forms of information resources is central to the mission of libraries.
Access the Remainder of this Post After a Click
Modernizing the E-rate Program
The plan recognizes the important role that the E-rate program has played – and will continue to play – in supporting telecommunications and other services for schools and libraries and proposes to improve the program in multiple ways.
Connect America Fund and Universal Service Reform
True information access for all Americans means that all households need to have broadband access. We are supportive of the concept of the Connect America Fund and expect to participate in the discussions to develop it. As broadband infrastructure is fully deployed to households in all communities across America, we suggest that libraries’ bandwidth should be upgraded to higher speed connections...
Training Teachers in Digital Literacy
As discussed in the plan, teachers must be digitally literate if we expect to achieve digital literacy for students. A number of schools are already staffed with trained information professionals who are proficient with digital technologies – school librarians.
Civic Engagement
ALA applauds the plan’s focus on a more open and transparent government. The use of the Internet to provide government information and services certainly enhances access to the government – for those who have ready Internet access from their homes or workplaces.
Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)
It is a tremendous opportunity to learn from the broadband investments made in the BTOP and Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). In particular, we encourage that an assessment includes a review of outcomes across institutional contexts. In our case, we want to identify the lessons learned from library-based grants to inform future broadband investments in libraries.
The FreePint Family is a family of resources to help information workers be more effective, raise the value of information in their organisations and contribute to success.
'FreePint... provides most of my professional development because it won't come through work and [other resources] just don't cut it.'
FUMSI Forum: Do you have a research question? Post it to the FUMSI Forum, where professionals share Q&A and useful tips on how to Find, Use, Manage and Share Information. It's free.
FreePint Shop:
VIP LiveWire:
