ALA: Libraries Key to National Broadband

Print |

Reprint/License |

Subscription |

RSS |

Share | |

Comments on broadband plan resulting from stimulus legislation

Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 06/09/2009

Libraries can play key role in national rollout
Libraries can fulfill policy goals in legislation
Need to fix E-rate

Libraries can play a crucial role in developing the national broadband plan that will result from recent stimulus legislation, says the American Library Association (ALA) in comments before the Federal Communications Commission.

“The national broadband plan has the potential to benefit millions of people by enabling high-capacity, ‘future-proof’ connections to the Internet in large multi-user locations such as libraries,” said Emily Sheketoff, executive director of ALA’s Washington Office. As the premier public computing centers around the country, libraries can serve as “community anchor institutions” by providing broadband, Sheketoff said.

Meeting policy goals
The stimulus plan presents several policy goals which libraries can help fulfill. One goal is advancing civic participation, and libraries, Sheketoff said, can serve as a building block simply by providing access to E-government services such as communicating with agencies, applying for licenses, and filing taxes.

Another goal is public safety and homeland security; ALA pointed to the role of libraries in the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina and in Iowa after last summer’s floods. Another goal is community development, and libraries have the resources and subject area knowledge to support small businesses and entrepreneur.

Libraries also support education, training users in technology, and support, Sheketoff noted, and contribute to national goal of job creation and economic growth, by supplying job information and training activities

Money issues
Still, ALA pointed to the need to ensure that access is affordable. On top of that, ALA called for a simplification of the E-rate program for telecomm discounts, thus extending it to more libraries.

Also, ALA advised the FCC that even the “non-discount match requirements” for libraries pursuing E-rate funds present a steep challenge, and suggested an effort to find relief.