FCC Releases 2007 ESL for Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism (E-Rate)

The FCC has released the 2007 Eligible Services List (ESL) for the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism (E-rate). Furthermore, the FCC has waived the rule requiring a 60-day waiting period between the time the ESL is published and the opening of the 2007 window, and the window will open on November 14, 2006, and close on February 7, 2007.

Eligible Services List (PDF): http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-158A2.pdf

FCC’s public notice: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-158A1.pdf

REMINDER: Only One Week Left to Enter the National Library Legislative Day Student Contest!

On September 19, the ALA’s Washington Office and YALSA started taking submissions for the National Library Legislative Day 2007 Student Contest, through which one student will win a free trip to Washington, DC, for the 33rd Annual National Library Legislative Day (NLLD), to be held on May 1 2, 2007. All you have to do is submit the winning theme idea and logo!

This is simply a reminder that there is only one week left in the contest! Entries must be received by October 29, 2006!

LIBRARIANS: Post the Official Contest Flyer (available on the website and below) in your libraries, especially public and school libraries! And please spread the word so we can get as many contest entries as possible!

For more information, please visit the official Contest Website.

Or use the forms below:

• Official Contest Flyer (PDF)
• Contest Rules and Information (Word)

• All contestants must fill out the official contest Entry Form and submit it with their entries.

  • National Library Legislative Day Theme Contest Entry Form (Word)

ALA Washington Office Grants Page Updated

The ALA Washington Office’s Grants page has been updated with information about the following opportunities:

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The Unitarian Universalist Associations’ Veatch Program at Shelter Rock supports nonprofit organizations in the U.S. whose goals reflect the principles of Unitarian Universalism, including peace and social justice, as well as programs that increase the involvement of Unitarian Universalists in social action.

Visit the website for detailed information on each of the grantmaking categories and instructions on developing letters of inquiry.

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The National Geographic Society’s Conservation Trust supports innovative solutions to issues of global concern. The Trust will fund projects that contribute significantly to the preservation and sustainable use of the Earth’s biological, cultural, and historical resources. The Trust supports both efforts in the field and public-education campaigns that inform individuals about global issues, connect conservation issues to daily life, and enable people to take action. Projects that hold potential as media subject matter are also encouraged, as National Geographic’s audience offers grantees opportunities to make a broad public impact.

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The PacifiCare Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of the lives of the disadvantaged or underserved in areas where PacifiCare Health Systems does business, including communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Washington State. The Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations in company communities that focus on nurturing healthy lifestyles.

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The National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) grants program seeks to fund projects with potential for broad outreach to meet a financial literacy need that is not being met for a segment of the nation’s population. NEFE seeks projects whose outcomes can improve the public’s ability to achieve personal and household financial well-being. Of particular interest are pro-active research projects whose findings may cultivate critical thinking in the financial literacy community. Also of interest are development projects that actuate research recommendations.

Try ALA’s New E-Advocacy Site Today!

On Tuesday, October 17, 2006, ALA will officially change to a new online Legislative Action Center. The new site — http://capwiz.com/ala/home — offers the same features as our old Legislative Action Center and was selected because it has demonstrated a significantly higher delivery rate of email (98% successful delivery) to Congressional Offices than competing online advocacy software vendors. Please take a moment to visit the site and let us know what you think!

We look forward to your comments and feedback and appreciate your patience with any problems you might experience as we transition to the new Legislative Action Center. Please send your questions or comments to Andy Bridges (abridges@alawash.org) or Erin Haggerty (ehaggerty@alawash.org).

ALA Seeks Nominations for L. Ray Patterson Copyright Award

ALA seeks nominations for the Patterson Copyright Award of those who have made significant and consistent contributions to the pursuit of balanced copyright principles while working in the area of information policy, law, libraries or library education.

The Patterson Copyright Award honors deserving individuals who embody the spirit of the U.S. Copyright law as voiced by the framers of our Constitution: “to advance the knowledge of science and useful arts” (U.S. Constitution, art 1, sec 8). Nominees for the Patterson Award are persons who follow and draw attention to the fundamental tenets established by Congress when crafting the U.S. Copyright law:

* The creation of new knowledge and the arts are encouraged;

* The creation and dissemination of knowledge is the purpose of copyright;

* Congress is granted the power to encourage creation of new works, but only via a very specific method, by granting authors and inventors exclusive rights;

* The exclusive rights granted should be for a limited time;

* Authors and inventors can benefit financially from copyright but this is a side effect of encouraging the dissemination of knowledge, and not the direct intent of copyright; and

* The rights of authors and inventors are granted by Congress and are not intrinsic or natural.

Last year’s winner was Prudence S. Adler, Associate Executive Director, Federal Relations and Information Policy for the Association of Research Libraries.

Please email letters of nomination outlining a candidate’s qualifications for this award to Carrie Russell at crussell@alawash.org, or mail them to:

Carrie Russell
Copyright Specialist,
ALA, Office for Information Technology Policy
1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, First Floor

Washington, DC 20009

Letters of nomination will be accepted through December 15, 2006.

The L. Ray Patterson Copyright Award is awarded annually. Winners receive a crystal trophy. Nominations will be reviewed by an award jury consisting of ALA members. Recipients will be awarded during the 2006 ALA Annual Conference. Nominees for this award need not be limited to librarians.

For more information, please visit the Award page. For questions or concerns, please contact Carrie Russell at crussell@ala.org.

Please redistribute this notice as widely as deemed appropriate.

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Ray Patterson was a foremost legal thinker, writer and practitioner who championed users’ rights. He was a pioneer who drew attention to the restrictive nature of aggressive enforcement, new interpretations and unnecessary expansions of copyright law. By recognizing those who follow in his footsteps, we celebrate his life accomplishments and contributions.