Public Access Bill Gains Support of 48 Universities

-- Library Journal, 8/14/2006

Provosts from 48 universities have signed letters supporting the Federal Research Public Access Act of 2006 (FRPAA), which would require federal agencies with over $100 million in annual external research budgets to make that research available online within six months of publication. The bill was introduced on May 2 by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT). "With the passage of this bill, researchers across the United States will have access to the results of work supported by federal government funding, which will help advance scientific understanding at a faster rate," said David Pershing, senior VP, academic affairs, University of Utah. When the bill was introduced, a coalition of library groups announced their support.