from @ACLU

This excerpt is from a draft document - Net Neutrality - An Intellectual Freedom Issue being developed by the Net Neutrality Working Group under the auspices of the American Library Association (ALA) Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC). I am honored to be a member of this Working Group. I will keep tracking this issue and let you know when and how best to help us protect net neutrality.

"Net neutrality is the First Amendment of the digital realm. It guarantees the right to distribute and receive ideas without limitations via the Internet. It ensures that Internet providers make their services available to the public without discrimination. Without the protection of net neutrality, tiered access limits diversity, blocks ideas and opinions. Additionally, it creates an internet in which only the companies who can afford to pay more for prioritized access can get their content through to consumers.

A democracy requires an informed citizenry with access to information from many points of view and the opportunity exchange ideas with others through civic engagement. Publicly supported institutions such as libraries, universities, and K-12 schools provide equal access to the members of their communities. If a portion of library users have limited or lesser access, their rights to participate in democracy are diminished; and the foundation of the nation’s democracy is undermined."

Yesterday, 21 November 2017, the American Library Association (ALA) released a statement about the FCC proposed order to end net neutrality:

http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2017/11/ala-strenuously-opposes-fcc-proposed-order-net-neutrality

Here is a link to an article from the November 21st Guardian - America is about to kill the open internet - and towns like this will pay the price

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/21/republicans-are-about-to-kill-the-open-internet-net-neutrality-winlock-washington?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GU+Today+USA+-+Collections+2017&utm_term=253487&subid=24880355&CMP=GT_US_collection

and another link to the November 21 New York Times - F.C.C. Plans Net Neutrality Repeal in a Victory for Telecoms

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/technology/fcc-net-neutrality.html?emc=edit_th_20171122&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=4754748

This is an interesting article from the November 21 Washington Examiner - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange warns Trump that full net neutrality repeal could inhibit tweets

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-warns-trump-that-full-net-neutrality-repeal-could-inhibit-tweets/article/2641445

and finally this insightful link to a November 21 ABC News article - FCC looks to repeal Obama-era net neutrality rules

http://abcnews.go.com/US/fcc-repeal-obama-era-net-neutrality-rules/story?id=51309157

We urge you to inform yourself as much as you can about all the factors in this issue. Our future as a vibrant, open democracy with unfettered access to information is at stake.

battleforthenet.com

The acts of looking and seeing are not the same.

Look around your library space today.

Really look.

See anything you like or wish were different? 

Can you say why?

 

Are you trying to figure out how to optimize your library space; plan an addition or a
new building? 

One of the first activities you need to do and one you will enjoy is how well your spaces function. Start
with small things and work up to more complex issues. 

Small but important thing:

Today, watch how the sunlight moves through your spaces and how your staff and patrons
react (or not!) to the heat of the sun. You also want to note how people use different types of artificial lighting.

Take photos or videos, of the lighting in your library spaces at different times of the day
and night. Take notes. Keep them, you will need them later.

We are thrilled to report that we will be presenting our program Communicate Effectively with Your Library Building Design Professionals – Achieve the Library You Need in June at ALA18 in New Orleans.

Whether you are preparing the ground work for an addition or new library building project, our program will help you clarify and document the needs of your community users and library staff so that you can direct your designer to provide you with the library design you need.

The Schedule of Sessions will be announced 8 November, 2017. Follow ALA Annual on Twitter #alaac18

We will be posting to our social media sites throughout the NOLA convention. PLAN22 Archibrarians on Linkedin  |   PLAN22Archibrians on Tumblr  | PLAN22 (plan22) on Pinterest  | @2PLAN22 on Twitter  | plan22archibrarians on Instagram  |  PLAN22 Archibrarians on Wordpress

Laissez les bons temps rouler!