RF encourages all who wish to remain current on library ebook matters to follow Alan Inouye’s Public Policy and Advocacy Developments posts. Here are some from November 21.

--> Now: Apply to be a member of the ALA Policy Corps, Cohort IV. Tell your colleagues!

Article in American Libraries: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/catching-up-with-ala-policy-corps/

Press Release: https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2021/10/ala-seeks-applicants-national-policy-corps

Application: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/ala-policy-corps-application

--> Now: Register for ALA's LibLearnX conference in January—presented virtually. Join us!

https://twitter.com/ALALibrary/status/1449066294708477965

ALA Welcomes Removal of Offensive ‘Illegal aliens’ [Library of Congress] Subject Headings

https://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2021/11/ala-welcomes-removal-offensive-illegal-aliens-subject-headings

ALA applauds congressional passage of digital equity funds available to libraries

(and President Biden has subsequently signed it into law. So now the next phase of work begins towards getting money to libraries)

https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2021/11/ala-applauds-congressional-passage-digital-equity-funds-available-libraries

ALA w/ the Association of Tribal, Archives, Libraries & Museums, filed comments w/ the FCC on tribal libraries & e-rate. Change tribal library definition for more participation, expand board membership to include tribal representation.

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/1112222001880

ALA endorses nominations of Jessica Rosenworcel and Gigi Sohn to the FCC and Alan Davidson to NTIA. ALA joined a group letter organized by Free Press and other civil society groups, and a second letter organized by SHLB and NDIA:

https://www.freepress.net/sites/default/files/2021-11/coalition_letter_on_fcc_ntia_nominations_final.pdf

https://www.shlb.org/uploads/Policy/Additional%20Policy/SHLB-NDIA-FCC_NTIA%20Nominations%20Letter%20-%20FINAL.pdf

ALA and ACRL joins amicus brief on Hepp v. Facebook (thanks EFF) on Section 230. The Court has since denied the request for en banc review.

https://cdt.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-10-28-ECF-Filer-Amicus-dckt.pdf

Ellen Satterwhite (big time library supporter in the inside-the-beltway policy/communications world) departs the Glen Echo Group and joins Patreon as head of US Policy. I attended her going away party.

https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1459102623311798291

NEWS AND ARTICLES

"Lawmakers Expand Inquiry into Library E-book Market," Publishers Weekly. Sen. Wyden and Rep. Eshoo send letters to 9 ebook distributors.

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/87941-lawmakers-expand-inquiry-into-library-e-book-market.html

Article on Jason Broughton, new director, National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress -- in The Hill.

https://www.rollcall.com/2021/11/18/jason-broughton-nls-congress/

Text and Data Mining of In-Copyright Works: Is It Legal? By Pam Samuelson in CACM.

https://cacm.acm.org/magazines/2021/11/256379-text-and-data-mining-of-in-copyright-works/fulltext

Deborah Fallows on libraries: "Libraries Lead the Way--Again"

https://www.ourtownsfoundation.org/libraries-lead-the-way-again/