RF is as always happy to share Mr. Inouye’s updates on ALA’s advocacy and general news of interest to library ebook aficianados, with thanks for his continuing efforts to keep us all current. The news about “Techopalooza” is especially intriguing. It is perhaps too much to hope, at least yet, for that libraries will see legislation to allow us to circulate ebooks as we circulate print, but perhaps the idea will at least surface!:

Free Webinar: Ready to Vote: Hosting National Voter Registration Day at Your Library, July 23, 3:00 p.m. eastern

https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rZFGGH-bQ4KyNVarfbmTDg

Sen. Reed and Rep. Levin introduce Library Stabilization Fund Act to provide $2 billion to IMLS for coronavirus recovery for the nation's libraries: ALA’s press release; One-page bill summary; Twitter post (please RT); ALA’s action alert (please act); Rep. Levin’s announcement; Sen. Reed’s announcement

ALA joins comments of the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition to the FCC on unlicensed use of the 6 Ghz band. https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1279704128755765248

https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/106292701930754/PISC%20Comments_6%20GHz%20FNPRM_FinalAsFiled_062920.pdf

ALA is pleased to endorse (and ALA is in Majority Whip James E. Clyburn's news release) H.R. 7302 the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act.

https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1275903855289647108

https://www.majoritywhip.gov/?press=clyburn-rural-broadband-task-force-and-house-democrats-introduce-accessible-affordable-internet-for-all-act

ALA joined letter led by Demand Progress & Lincoln Networks: More money for legislative branch is prudent. Especially to bolster capacity for research, technology (incl. remote access), & expertise.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/demandprogress/letters/Strengthening_the_Legislative_Branch_by_Increasing_its_302b_Allocation_2020-06-22.pdf

Comments of ALA & ACRL submitted to White House OSTP for Request for Information 85 FR 9488, Public Access Federally-Funded Research: Yes there should be immediate open access to taxpayer-funded research. Comments begin on p. 18.

https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1277885674960625665

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Open-Access-RFI-Comments-Reduced-5.pdf

Congrats to Ray Pun as new President-elect, Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) & incoming President Candice Mack. Ray & Candice are both members of ALA Policy Corps.

https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1279718335933042688

https://www.apalaweb.org/apala-executive-board-2020-2022-election-results/

NEWS AND ARTICLES

Senators Markey, Van Hollen, Bennet, and Hassan filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to enact their Emergency Educational Connections Act, providing $4 billion for internet access/devices via libraries & schools.

https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1278454898527539201

https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/NDAA%20Amendment%20E-Rate%20COVID1.pdf

ALA supports: Sen. Klobuchar Helms Senate Version of Clyburn Broadband Bill: S. 4131 was introduced. Includes the $5 billion for libraries/schools to provide home access to those without.

https://www.multichannel.com/news/sen-klobuchar-helms-senate-version-of-clyburn-broadband-bill

Kara Swisher reports: You can officially call it Techopalooza. Rep. David Cicilline has told me in an interview today the four CEOs of the most powerful tech companies in the world – Apple, Facebook, Google and Amazon – have agreed to appear at a late July hearing on antitrust. Column coming! ALA is optimistic that library eBooks will be included in the subsequent report from the House Judiciary Committee.

https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1278457602956038156

While on eBooks… Big management reorg at Macmillan Publishers

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/83661-macmillan-forms-trade-management-committee-to-address-key-issues.html

Tribute to Carolyn Ashcraft, State Librarian of Arkansas, on her retirement -- in the Congressional Record, by Sen. John Boozman (R-AR).

https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1276485349359980544

https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2020/6/22/senate-section/article/s3125-3?loclr=cga-search

Imagining the Museum’s Smaller Future: Post-pandemic, art museums should consider the benefits of a more focused, intimate approach.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/imagining-the-museums-smaller-future-11593554230

'We're back in business': UK bookshops see sales soar. Well, a bit of hope for the future from across the pond.

https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1276843882936926210

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/23/were-back-in-business-uk-bookshops-see-sales-soar

COVID has changed our lives — buildings should change, too