Special Libraries Association (SLA) supports the establishment of a telecommunications infrastructure which can provide universal access to all segments of society, including the individual at home, work or school. Computer networks continue to connect users with vast amounts of information unencumbered by geographic location. The special library community is working with policymakers as the governments of the world consider deregulation of the information services industry, to ensure that the infrastructure is accessible and affordable for users of the systems in the marketplace.
SLA urges policymakers to ensure that there will be competition among the telecommunications players and that the various industries' products and services will be affordable not only to the end-users, but to intermediaries, such as libraries.
Also of great concern to the library community is the issue of rates for access to the Internet. In the United States, citizens and organizations currently enjoy flat-rate fees for unlimited access to the World Wide Web. However, the regional phone companies have claimed that Internet access is seriously straining public telephone networks. In other words, as Internet access occupies phone lines that were not originally configured to handle data communications, fewer lines are available for voice communications. No action is currently expected by the Federal Communications Commission on this matter. However, SLA has been proactive in acknowledging that Internet access needs to be transferred to a packet-switched, data network. Such a network should be funded by a collaboration of resources: consumers, Internet access companies, and phone companies, just to name a few.
Another issue of intense debate has been that of the interoperability of the systems being deregulated. That is, will the systems be able to interconnect with one another? On one side of the battle are those in the software business who are concerned that they will be compelled to share components of their technologies with their competitors. Those supporting interoperability see it as a way to provide open access to the networks and allow for more competition among the many businesses vying to market their wares to the public. It is clear that there are copyright and proprietary issues to be worked out so this issue will, no doubt, be a sticking point in the battle to deregulate the telecommunications industry.
Also being debated is a proposal which would provide that low rates be available to public libraries, schools and rural health care facilities to help these entities pay for ongoing telecommunications access. This is by no means a "free ride." Many of these institutions currently pay higher, commercial rates and are on limited budgets as it is, with cutbacks on the local, state and federal levels.
While SLA members in the corporate and academic environments have led the way in utilizing the Internet and accessing information in the electronic arena, many of their colleagues in the K-12 and public library sectors have found it almost impossible to be part of the Information Age. Such preferential rates will provide a level playing field for all stakeholders who utilize telecommunications systems.
The SLA membership is wide and varied, from the corporate/private sector to academic institutions and public entities, such as the federal government. Regardless of organizational structure, SLA members are concerned about the future of all libraries in this new networked environment and the impact of deregulation of the telecommunications industry on the communities and clients who need to get information. Special librarians want to be sure that, in the political wrangling over telephone deregulation and opening of competitive markets, the new telecommunications landscape provides for more and not fewer opportunities to access the information flowing over fiber optic cables in homes, schools and places of business.
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