ALA Councilor Report - February 2001
February 15, 2001
The following are some of the actions taken by Council at the 2001 Midwinter Meeting in Washington D.C. If you are interested in additional information on any of the items please contact me or (307-635-1032).
Adopted Library Services for People with Disabilities Policy - following considerable discussion at the annual meeting and with clarification at this meeting the policy was adopted by consent. For the purposes of this policy, "must" means "mandated by law and/or within ALA's control" and "should" means "it is strongly recommended that libraries make every effort to."
Following lengthy discussion Council defeated a motion to create a 501(c)(6) organization which would have been used to permit professional librarians to voluntarily become certified in a variety of post-masters specializations. The creation of such an organization along with the certification program are referred back to the Committee on Education which is to report back prior to the Annual Conference in 2001. Major concerns range from control of the 501(c)(6) organization to pressure for librarians to gain certification so that program does not stay voluntary.
Council approved a change in the dues structure to include a Key Partner category.
The Campaign for America's Libraries will develop materials in Spanish
Council voted to adopt a Resolution on Opposition to Federally Mandated Internet, as amended to read: "That the American Library Association will work with the 107th Congress to encourage law makers to repeal the provisions of Children's Internet Protection Act and the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act that usurp and undermine local control; that the ALA will continue to work with the Federal Communications Commission, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the U.S. Department of Education, to ensure that the values of full and open access for all are considered as they administer these grants and discounts; that ALA will continue to support and encourage local libraries as they educate children and adults in the safe and effective use of the Internet; that ALA will initiate litigation against these Acts to ensure that the people of America have unfettered access to information; that the ALA will transmit this resolution to United States President-elect George W. Bush and members of Congress."
Council, by consent, adopted a resolution on LSTA reauthorization for an amount of not less than $500 million
Other items of concern and interest include the following:
UCITA (Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act) is a proposed state contract law designed to standardize the law regarding the licensing of software and other forms of digital information. Included with this report is a fact sheet on UCITA. Nothing was introduced during this legislative session in Wyoming. Insurance companies are starting to oppose the legislation.
Facing most libraries in Wyoming will be decisions concerning the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Neighborhood Children Internet Protection Act (NCIPA). CIPA covers visual depictions and prohibits funds from E-rate discounts, ESEA, and MLSA to schools and libraries unless they adopt and implement an Internet safety policy and operate technology protection measures. NCIPA covers a broader range of content and certain prohibited activities.