SLA to FTC: don't take shortsighted approach to Internet neutrality; SLA has called on the U.S. federal trade commission to reconsider its decision to abandon Internet neutrality

Information Outlook, Oct, 2007

In a letter to FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras, SLA called the commission's June 2007 report, Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy, shortsighted, and the FTC's decision a threat to an open, robust, and independent Internet. SLA urged the FTC to take another look at the Internet neutrality issue.

The 170-page report accepted many of the arguments made by cable operators and telephone companies that government intervention was unjustified because competitive forces were producing many consumer benefits, including content innovations and network investment by access providers.

"The FTC has adopted the view that because the Internet is operating well today, there is no regulatory need to protect it tomorrow," said Janice R. Lachance, SLA's chief executive officer. "The commission has taken the logic behind the saying, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it,' and has turned it completely on its head by seeming to suggest, 'If it ain't broke, don't protect it.' Do we really want to roll the dice when it comes to the public's continued open-access to Internet applications and content? SLA thinks the answer is 'No.'"

The FTC report, which does not carry the force of law, is intended to guide policy on "Internet connectivity in general and network neutrality in particular, as developed from meetings between the FTC Internet Access Task Force, various interested parties, and the FTC staff's independent research." The report contains a number of "suggested guiding principles" for future policy creation.

In a June 2007 statement, Majoras said, "this report recommends that policy makers proceed with caution in the evolving dynamic industry of broadband Internet access, which generally is moving toward more--not less--competition." She continued, "In the absence of significant market failure or demonstrated consumer harm, policy makers should be particularly hesitant to enact new regulation in this area."

Lachance, a member of the U.S. delegation to the 2005 World Summit on the Information Society, and a participant in the United Nations' Internet Governance Forum, is actively involved in efforts in the United States and internationally to ensure the Internet continues to remain independent and open in order to meet the needs of information professionals, librarians, their customers and the public.

"I understand the need for policymakers to be cautious about taking action on every possible problem the country faces," said Lachance. "If, however, the government had waited until our national wilderness areas had been blighted before protecting these scenic treasures, what would have been the point? The Internet may be a treasure of a completely different kind, but it merits our protection so as to ensure it remains open and accessible to all who can benefit from it," she said.

IMLS Calls For Museum Grant Applications

The Institute of Museum and Library Services will accept grant applications for the agency's fiscal year 2008 Museums for America program through November 1.

Through the program, the Institute provides support for "essential and worthy" projects that help museums further their missions, achieve their goals, and provide value to their communities. Museums for America grants benefit museums of all sizes and types, in all parts of the country.

This year's guidelines have been modified to make the application process quicker and more user-friendly. The grant categories have been clarified to underscore the goal of the program: to build the capacity of museums to serve the public. The three categories of Museums for America activities include:

1. Engaging Communities (education, exhibition, and interpretation).

2. Building Institutional Capacity (management, policy, and training).

3. Collections Stewardship. Through these new, broad categories, the grants will provide funds for the full range of museum programs and activities, including digitization, staff training, research, exhibitions, educational programs, community partnerships and collections management.

Applicants are required to demonstrate that proposed grant activities are clearly linked to the institution's strategic plan and enhance the museum's ties and value to its community. Applicants must show that the activities are an investment in the museum's long-term capacity.

Application guidelines and instructions are available at www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/forAmerica.shtm. The Institute will only accept applications submitted through Grants.gov, the federal government's online application system. Applicants using Grants.gov must register with Grants.gov before submitting their application. Applicants who are not already registered should allow at least two weeks to complete this one-time process. For information on registration, visit www.imls.gov/applicants/grantsgov/checklist.shtm.> Questions about the MFA program may be directed to Sandra Narva, senior program officer, (202) 653-4634, snarva@imls.gov, or Steve Shwartzman, senior program officer, (202) 653-4641, sshwartzman@imls.gov.