Channel Weekly, Vol. 13, No. 17, January 27, 2011

1. FCC releases Net Neutrality rules
2. Motivate and encourage students to read
3. Plan library programs in support of the curriculum
4. IMLS National Initiatives and Partnerships: National Medals
5. Website of the Week - The Quote Garden
6. Calendar
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1. FCC RELEASES NET NEUTRALITY RULES

In late December the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) released its long-awaited regulations on Net Neutrality. Highlights include the following:

-- No discrimination: Internet providers cannot "unreasonably" discriminate based on the content of a website, email message, etc. This means they also cannot enhance or degrade the transmission of such content.
-- No blocking: Providers cannot block access to legal content, applications, or services, even if such compete with the provider's own content, applications, or services.
-- Paid Prioritization: Allowing organizations to pay providers to have their Internet content get priority over other content will likely not be permitted, although the regulations allow some latitude in this area. Allowing pay-for-priority service will relegate library content to the Internet's "slow lane" because libraries and most other community anchor institutions lack the financial ability to pay.
-- Network management: Providers can take reasonable actions to protect their networks from spam, hacking, security threats, and other nefarious activities.
-- Mobile wireless: Because this is a fairly new venue for Internet access and it is evolving rapidly, the FCC decided to not impose its "no discrimination" rule to wireless access (e.g. access via smart phones).

Last week Verizon sued the FCC in federal court claiming that the commission lacks the statutory authority to issue such regulations.

The American Library Association (ALA) is a strong supporter of Net Neutrality and submitted comments to the FCC prior to release of its regulations. A link to the ALA comments and a summary of the regulations is on the ALA Washington D.C. office website at http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=5567.


2. MOTIVATE AND ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO READ

The American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) Innovative Reading Grant supports the planning and implementation of programs for children that motivate and encourage reading, especially for struggling readers. Selection criteria include the potential to measure and evaluate a literacy project that promotes the importance of reading and facilitates learners' literacy development by supporting current reading research, practice and policy. Reading programs specifically designed for children (K-9) in the school library setting are eligible for the $2,500 award. The program must encourage innovative ways to motivate and involve children in reading. The applicant must be a member of AASL. The deadline for applications is February 7, 2011.

More information is available at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslawards/innovativereadinggrant/aaslreading.cfm.


3. PLAN LIBRARY PROGRAMS IN SUPPORT OF THE CURRICULUM

The American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) Collaborative School Library Award recognizes and encourages collaboration and partnerships between school librarians and teachers in meeting goals outlined in Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs through joint planning of a program, unit or event in support of the curriculum, using school library resources. School librarians who are personal members of the AASL are eligible to apply. The $2,500 cash award will be given to the recipient's school library. The deadline for applications is February 7, 2011.

More information is available at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslawards/collaborativesl/collaborativesl.cfm.


4. IMLS NATIONAL INITIATIVES AND PARTNERSHIPS: NATIONAL MEDALS

Any nonprofit or nonfederal library can be nominated to be awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Services. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) would like to acknowledge the great services provided by libraries. Winners receive $10,000, a visit from StoryCorps, and a White House ceremony where the First Lady will award the Medal to each recipient. The application is short and is located at: http://www.imls.gov/pdf/11_Medals_Nomination.pdf. Application deadline is February 15, 2011.


5. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

The Quote Garden -- http://www.quotegarden.com/wise-words.html -- The Quote Garden is an original compilation of favorite quotes compiled by U.S. quotation anthologist Terri Cuillemets. She started the collection in 1987 when she was 13 years old. In early 1998 she began sharing her collection with the world by learning HTML and starting a site on GeoCities. The site moved to quotegarden.com in 2001. Terri carries paper and pen with her everywhere she goes in case she sees something quotable.


6. CALENDAR

February 22, 2011 - WEMTA/WLA Library Legislative Day, Madison

March 11, 2011 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, by web conference

March 20-22, 2011 - Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) conference, Madison

May 4-6, 2011 - Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) annual conference, Madison

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Roslyn M. Wise
Editor, Channel Weekly
Department of Public Instruction
Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning
PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
Phone: (608) 266-6439
FAX: (608) 267-9207

For questions about this information, contact Roslyn Wise (608) 266-6439