Wisconsin Federal Legislative Agenda 2011
Fund Library Programs:
- Fund the “Library Services and Technology Act” (LSTA) at $232 million.
- Preserve the “Improving Literacy Through School Libraries” program at $19.1 million and with its own budget line.
- Maintain funding for Census Bureau’s Statistical Compendia Branch at $2.9 million.
- Support funding for Library of Congress at $675 million.
Access for All:
- Introduce legislation such as that in the 111th Congress, the Federal Research Public Access Act (FRPAA) (S.1373, H.R.5037) which would increase public access to federally funded research
- Fund work of GPO at $42.2 million to preserve public access to FDSYS and FDLP.
- Support passage of Faster Freedom of Information Act of 2011 (S.627 & H.R.1564).
- Support a free and open Internet for all by voting in favor of Net Neutrality. Support the Internet Freedom Broadband Promotion, and Consumer Protection Act of 2011 (S.74) and oppose S.J. Res. 6 which calls for disapproving the rule submitted by the FCC regulating the Internet and broadband industry practices.
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Reauthorization:
- Include requirements that all schools have a fully-funded school library with a full time, state-certified school librarian and with up-to-date books, materials, equipment, and technology, including broadband connectivity. Provide language that would require instruction by librarians for students and staff on digital and computer literacy skills.
Broadband and Telecommunications:
- Support passage of the Anti-Deficiency Act (S.297) to provide stability and certainty to the E-rate program.
- Support to protect the E-rate program to ensure that public libraries and K-12 public and private schools can provide critical Internet access to students.
Investment in Libraries:
- Support the Workforce Investment Through Local Libraries (WILL) Act (H.R.1616) which amends the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in include public libraries as “one-stop” partners, eligible for resources to help the public with resume development, job bank web searches, literacy services, and workshops on career information.
Privacy and Surveillance:
- Support the USA PATRIOT Act Sunset Extension Act (S.193) which provides improved legal review for use of Section 215 business records orders to obtain library and bookseller records as well as a meaningful review of the gag orders.
Lead and Libraries:
- Support the Consumer Product Safety Enhancement Act of 2010 (H.R.272) that would amend the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act by exempting ordinary books and paper-based print materials from the lead limits on children’s products. This would exempt public and school libraries from having to test all children’s books for lead levels. Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI8) is a co-sponsor of this legislation.