ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

Washington Hotline

Lynne E. Bradley

LSTA passed Senate, other action in final week before recess

On August 1, the Senate voted by unanimous consent to pass the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003, which includes reauthorization of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). When the Senate brought up S. 888, its version of the act, they amended the bill to reflect a “pre-conference” agreement worked out by the House and Senate on several differences between the bills (H.R. 13 and S. 888, respectively).

The agreement that was reached accepted nearly all of the Senate language, which included several minor differences from the House version of the bill. The amendment also changed the funding authorization level for library programs to $232 million. After changes were made to S. 888, the Senate incorporated S. 888 into H.R. 13 and passed H.R. 13 (in lieu of S. 888).

Now, the Senate-passed version of H.R. 13 goes to the House, where it will hopefully be voted on and passed as soon as Congress returns in early September. If the House passes the Senate version of the bill without making any changes, the bill heads to the president for his signature.

Grassroots advocates are asked to say “thank you” to their Senators for passage of this important library legislation and to indicate that the libraiy community will be seeking enhanced funding for the many needs addressed by state-based LSTA projects, as well as leadership and collaborative programs with museums.

Library supporters should seek out their members of the House of Representatives and ask for passage of the Museum and Library Services Act, H.R. 13, as referred by the Senate. The Senate and House bills are essentially identical so this should be a pro forma vote for House members, but they need to hear from constituents.

Many thanks to all in the academic library community for your sustained support for this legislation. The process towards passage has taken combined efforts of all in the greater libraiy world, but it was particularly helpful to receive letters of support for the legislation from heads of major universities in various parts of the country.

“Library, Bookseller, and Personal Records Privacy Act”

On July 31, Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) introduced the “Library, Bookseller, and Personal Records Privacy Act.” The bill would restore pre-PATRIOT Act safeguards on the FBI’s license to obtain citizens’ personal records. By limiting the scope of the FBI’s ability to obtain library, bookstore, medical and financial records, the Feingold bill would protect U.S. citizens from unnecessary monitoring by the federal government.

For more information about this and similar bills, subscribe to ALAWON.

Agreement names GPO and IMARA affiliated archives

The following is an excerpt from a press release published August 12 by the Government Printing Office and the National Archives:

Washington, D.C.—Archivist of the United States John W. Carlin and United States Public Printer Bruce R. James announced today an agreement whereby the Government Printing Office (GPO) and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) will ensure the documents you see today on GPO Access (http:// www.gpoaccess.gov), the GPO Web site that provides free online public access to more than 250,000 federal government titles, will remain available permanently.

“GPO is committed to providing permanent public access to the online versions of the most important government publications. That is why we are honored that NARA has recognized our commitment to making this information available today and to preserving it for future generations by making us an archival affiliate,” said Public Printer James.

Archivist Carlin said, “Preserving the essential evidence of our government’s work is a serious responsibility and we feel confident that working together with GPO will enable us to ensure that these records will continue to be available for all to use.” ■

Lynne E. Bradley is Office of Government Relations director of ALA’s Washington Office, e-mail: leb@alawash.org