31 December 2007
Revised FOIA Bill Signed into Law
The U.S. House passed revised legislation designed to improve and strengthen the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the law that protects the public's right to know what the government is doing. The measure was passed in the Senate on 14 December and signed into law by President Bush on 31 December. The measure was introduced in response to findings by the National Security Archive that some FOIA requests had been pending since 1989. The legislation requires federal agencies to set up tracking systems for FOIA requests and require agencies to publish FOIA exemptions that have been relied upon when information is redacted from a FOIA request.
Read revised legislation.
Read press release.
Read NSA findings.

26 Decebmer 2007
NIH Public Access Now Mandatory
The omnibus federal budget bill for fiscal year 2008 (H.R. 2764) includes a provision directing the National Institutes of Health to provide the public with open online access to findings from its funded research. This is the first time the U.S. government has mandated public access to research funded by a major agency. Researchers will now be required to deposit electronic copies of their peer-reviewed manuscripts into the National Library of Medicine's online archive, PubMed Central. Full texts of the articles will be publicly available and searchable online in PubMed no later than 12 months after publication in a journal.
Read press release.
Read Guidelines.

21 December 2007
FY08 Omnibus Bill Allocates $1 Million to Restore EPA Libraries
The FY08 EPA budget, approved in the omnibus budget bill, allocates $1 million to restore EPA's network of libraries. The bill requires the EPA to provide Congress with a report regarding "actions it will take to restore publicly available libraries to provide environmental information and data to each EPA region within 90 days of the enactment of this Act." In early 2006, the EPA budget proposed cuts of $2 million that would close its network of 27 libraries and information centers. SLA vehemently opposed this decision and took action-and continued communications stressing the importance of access to the unique information managed by the EPA's network.
Read News Story.
Read PEER News Release.
EPA Library History

18 December 2007
SLA, Other Groups Support Plain Language Bill
SLA, ALA, and AALL wrote a letter to Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D, Hawaii) to express strong support for the Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 (S. 2291) that includes reforms to require federal agencies to use plain language best practices for forms, Web sites, and other federal agency communications. The letter said that S.2291 will enhance public understanding of government information, facilitate access to government services, and increase government transparency. Read letter. Read Press Release.

12 December 2007
LCA Expresses Concerns with Proposed Orphan Works Legislation
The Library Copyright Alliance, of which SLA is a member, hand delivered letters to U.S. Representatives Howard L. Berman (D, California) and Howard Coble (R, North Carolina) expressing serious concerns with the proposed Section 104 of H.R. 4279. The letter states that section 104 would exacerbate the orphan works situation by greatly increasing the amount of statutory damages plaintiffs could recover for infringements of compilations and derivative works and would make libraries and their patrons even more reluctant to use orphan works of this sort. Read letter.

7 December 2007
Groups Urging Senators to Co-Sponsor Amendments
Thirty-one groups, including SLA, wrote a letter to key senators requesting they co-sponsor S.886, The Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007. In November 2001, President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13233, giving current and former presidents and vice presidents, and their heirs, broad authority to withhold presidential records or delay their release. The group's letter emphasized the need to re-establish procedures to ensure the timely release of presidential records as called for in the Presidential Records Act of 1978. Read letter.

27 November 2007
SLA Opposes Closing of Canadian Health Network
In letters sent to Canada's Minister of Health and Chief Public Health Officer, SLA urged that the Canadian Health Network (CHN), a leading source for heath information on the Web in Canada, not be closed.

The letters emphasize the importance of public access to this well-vetted information portal as essential to the public health as more and more online resources become freely available.

Read letter to Canadian Minister of Health.
Read letter to Canadian Chief Public Health Officer.
Read news story.
Sign the Friends of CHN Petition.

19 November 2007
Groups Urging Amendment Vote on Executive Order
Several organizations, including SLA, sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada), strongly urging that the Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007 (H.R. 1255/S. 886) be brought to the Senate floor for consideration as soon as possible. This legislation would nullify a Bush executive order and re-establish procedures to ensure the timely release of presidential records that the Presidential Records Act was designed to ensure. Read Letter.

6 November 2007
Opposition Expressed to Farm Bill Provisions
Twenty-eight groups, including SLA, wrote a letter to senators to express opposition to the non-disclosure provisions (Sec. 10305 of the Livestock Title) in the 2007 farm bill approved by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee on 25 October 25. One provision, would impose harsh criminal or civil penalties on members of the public and the press who might publish or in any way disclose information from the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), even if the information had been legally obtained. Read Letter. Read NOFA/Mass Press Release.

2 November 2007
Librarians Express Concern over Surveillance Bill Oversight
Pending legislation on domestic surveillance has provoked alarm in the library community as it could allow federal intelligence-gathering on library patrons without sufficient court oversight. Read the full article in The Washington Post.

SLA has joined forces with several library organizations on this issue, seeking the opportunity to publicly debate any proposed legislation to alter the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Read joint letters October and September.

30 October 2007
Journalists Discuss Finding and Using Government Information
At a joint meeting of the SLA Government Information Division and the American Library Association Government Documents Round Table in October, New York Times Reporter Scott Shane and Washington Post Research Editor Alice Crites discussed how they find and use government information, what their favorite sources are, and which documents even they have trouble tracking down. Read article by Peggy Garvin, SLA Government Information Division Chair.

30 October 2007
Working Group on the Future of Bibliographic Control Presents Draft Report
A working group sponsored by the Library of Congress to examine the future of bibliographic description in the 21st century in light of advances in search engine technology, the popularity of the Internet, and the influx of electronic information resources, is issuing its draft report for public comment on 30 November. During meetings over the last year year (delete), invited panelists delivered presentations on various aspects of bibliographic control, and audience members responded with both oral and written comments.

The working group, which included SLA Information Center Director John Latham, has collaborated throughout the year to shape the public meetings and to discuss its ultimate recommendations to the Library of Congress scheduled for publication on 9 January 2008. Read Library of Congress News. Working Group Information.

23 October 2007
SLA Sends Letter Opposing Proposed Closing of Sandia Research Library
After learning that Sandia National Laboratories is planning to close its research library, SLA sent a letter strongly opposing the closing, or diminution, of library services at Sandia. The letter, from SLA CEO Janice R. Lachance, questioned if a detailed plan had been produced and vetted by qualified information and policy experts who understand the critical nature of maintaining valuable services and access to information for current and future needs by Sandia researchers. It also asked whether, if such a plan has been created, it had been made available for review and comment by those affected.

Sandia is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, and is managed by Lockheed Martin. It is government owned and contractor operated. Funding is provided by the Department of Energy, with other major funding through the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense. Read letter. On 2 November, Sandia National Laboratories responded. Read Letter. SLA is engaged in a dialog with Sandia and will report on the outcomes.

22 October 2007
Mandate for Public Access to NIH-Funded Research Poised to Become Law
The U.S. Senate approved the fiscal year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services,, and Education Appropriations Bill (S.1710), including a provision that directs the National Institutes of Health to strengthen its public access policy by requiring rather than requesting participation by researchers. Read ATA Press Release.

In October, eight organizations, including SLA, sent a letter via fax to all U.S. Senators strongly urging the opposition of the Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) amendments (#3416 and #3417) to the fiscal year 2008 Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill (S.1710). Read Letter.

22 October 2007
Joint Letter Urges Opposition of Senator Inhofe Amendments
Eight organizations, including SLA, sent a letter via fax to all U.S. Senators strongly urging the opposition of both of the Senator Inhofe amendments (#3416 and #3417) to the FY 2008 Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill (S.1710). The letter expressed concern that the amendments would severely curtail the ability of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to effectively make the results of the research it funds using U.S. taxpayer dollars available to the public. Read Letter.

18 October 2007
Library Groups File En Banc Brief on Greenberg v. National Geographic Society
SLA in conjunction with ALA, AALL, ARL, MLA, the National Association of State University and Land-Grand Colleges, and the Society of American Archivists filed an En Banc brief in support of National Geographic Society (NGS) to reconsider a decision in this appeal. The case, Greenberg v. National Geographic Society, involves an allegation by photographers and authors that NGS violated copyright when it published past issues of its magazine on CD-ROM without first seeking permission. The brief reemphasizes and supports NGS in that as long as digital versions place photographs and articles in the same context as the print original, there is no infringement of copyright. Read Brief.

4 October 2007
Joint Letter Expresses Concerns Over FISA Bill
Several organizations, including SLA, sent a letter to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, urging the opportunity for public debate on any proposed legislation to alter the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The letter expressed grave concern that, without a public draft of the bill available, there is insufficient time for discussion and debate. Read letter.

28 September 2007
LCA Provides Comments on the WIPO Development Agenda
The Library Copyright Alliance (LCA), of which SLA is a member, in collaboration with the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), provided joint comments on the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Development Agenda. Reinforcing multiple issues of prime importance to libraries, the comments were distributed in print form as well as provided to WIPO administration for placement in the official meeting records during the 24 September - 3 October meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. Read Joint Comments.

25 September 2007
Groups Request Public Hearings Regarding Proposed Changes to FISA
More than 60 groups, including SLA, wrote a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid asking him to insist on public hearings on any proposed legislation to alter the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) before either the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence or the Senate Judiciary Committee votes on such legislation. Public hearings with members of both committees on any proposed legislation involving surveillance that affects the rights of people in the U.S. are greatly needed. Read Letter.

20 September 2007
Support Access to NIH Publicly Funded Research
Contact your Senators no later than Friday, 28 September

As the U.S. Senate considers appropriations measures for the 2008 fiscal year please take a moment to remind your Senators of your strong support for public access to publicly funded research and, specifically, ensuring the success of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Public Access Policy by making deposits mandatory for researchers.

Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation with language that directs the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to make this change as part of the FY2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill. Several organizations, including SLA, wrote a letter in July and then another letter in September to the U.S. Senate in strong support of timely online access to articles reporting the results of government-funded research. The group urged the Appropriations Committee to include language directing NIH to make its public access policy mandatory. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a similar measure as part of the FY2008 Senate Appropriations Bill. Now, as the appropriations process moves forward, it is critically important that our Senators are reminded of the breadth and depth of support for enhanced public access to the results of NIH-funded research. Please contact your Senators no later than Friday, 28 September.

17 September 2007
SLA Urges FTC to Reconsider Decision on Net Neutrality
SLA called on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to reconsider its decision to abandon Internet neutrality. In a letter to FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras on 17 August, 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 Net neutrality issue. Read Press Release.

12 September 2007
Study Shows Fair Use Economy Represents One-Sixth of U.S. GDP
Fair Use exceptions to U.S. copyright laws are responsible for more than $4.5 trillion in annual revenue for the United States, according to the findings of an economic study released in early September. According to the study commissioned by the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and conducted in accordance with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)methodology, companies benefiting from limitations on copyright holders' exclusive rights, such as "fair use," generate substantial revenue, employ millions of workers, and, in 2006, represented one-sixth of total U.S. GDP. Read Press Release and Link to Full Study.

5 September 2007
Microsoft's Open Document Format Rejected
In early September, Microsoft's effort to have its Open Document Format (ODF) recognized as an international standard was rejected by a panel of software experts. Read New York Times Article. In December 2005, SLA and others sent letters to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in support of its adoption of ODF technologies in general as the standard for all electronic documents created by the executive branch. Backwards compatibility may be difficult to achieve in 100 years because the developer of proprietary software may have gone out of business, and the specifications for the document formatting may also have disappeared. ODF will significantly ease access to information for future generations, as any future programmer will be able to use its open, nonproprietary specifications. Galvin Letter. Trimarco Letter.

4 September 2007
Concerns Expressed with the Protect America Act of 2007
Several organizations, including SLA, sent a letter to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, expressing concern over the recently enacted Protect America Act of 2007. The concern is that the Act may be used to justify the warrantless interception of any international communications by U.S. persons, without any restriction on the subsequent review and data mining of the metadata concerning those calls or the content of the communications themselves. The letter expresses encouragement that requests have been made to the judiciary and intelligence committees to once again delve into the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and reinsert much needed privacy protections that were lacking in the last iteration. Read letter.

20 August 2007
Hague Convention Questioned by Library Groups
During the course of negotiations on the Hague Convention on Exclusive Choice of Court Agreements, concern was expressed to the U.S. delegation, by SLA and other groups, that the scope of the Convention included choice of court provisions in non-negotiated agreements. Such non-negotiated agreements are becoming increasingly prevalent as more information products, such as software, databases, and Web sites, are made available subject to shrink-wrap and click-on licenses. In many instances, there is unequal bargaining strength between the parties to such "agreements." Often, terms are not displayed to the licensee until after he or she has purchased the product and agreed to the terms-for example, by opening the product's packaging. Furthermore, the terms contained in these unilateral agreements may be contrary to what the licensee would reasonably expect. Read Letter.

1 August 2007
LCA Supports Opening FTC Investigation on Consumer Deception
The Library Copyright Alliance, of which SLA is a member, wrote a letter to Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in strong support of a request for an investigation and complaint for injunctive relief filed by the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA). The CCIA filed a FTC complaint on behalf of consumers against Major League Baseball, the National Football League, NBC/Universal and several other corporations. CCIA alleges that the named corporations have misled consumers for years, often misrepresenting their rights through deceptive and threatening statements. The complaint says false and misleading copyright warnings provided by publishers and motion picture distributors confuse library patrons and interfere with libraries fulfilling their mission.

Read LCA Letter.
Read Full Complaint.
Read CIIA Article.
Read Wall Street Journal Article.

20 July 2007
Ninth Circuit Rules on Perfect 10 vs. Google
SLA and other organizations filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Google. In Perfect 10 v. Google, the Ninth Circuit ruled with Google on most points. Perfect 10 had alleged that Google directly infringed by displaying thumbnail images of Perfect 10 photos in its image search results, as well as linking to third-party Web sites that displayed full sized infringing images. Further, Perfect 10 alleged that Google was secondarily liable for linking to these infringing images. The district court ruled that Google was not directly or secondarily liable for linking to the full sized images. Read Brief.

16 July 2007
Update on NIH Public Access Legislation
Several organizations, including SLA, wrote a letter to the U.S. Senate in strong support of timely online access to articles reporting the results of government-funded research. The group urged the Appropriations Committee to include language directing National Institutes of Health (NIH) to make its public access policy mandatory. The U.S. House of Representatives has now approved a measure directing the NIH to provide free public online access to agency-funded research findings within 12 months of their publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The House passed the provision as part of the FY2008 Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill. Alliance for Taxpayer Access (ATA), of which SLA is a member, has strongly advocated the passage of this measure. Read ATA's Press Release

11 June 2007
LCA Signs on to Brief Supporting Cablevision
The Library Copyright Alliance, of which SLA is a member, signed on to a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Cablevision. Twentieth Century Fox v. Cablevision concerns the question of who makes the copy when an entity provides facilities that can be used by third parties. Cablevision rolled out a "remote DVR service." Instead of renting a TiVo-like DVR box from Cablevision that would reside in the user's home, the user would be able to "rent" a certain amount of space on Cablevision's central server. The user could then direct the server to make a copy of a particular TV program, and the user would be able to view the copy whenever he or she wished. Read Brief. Read Appeal.

11 June 2007
Joint Paper on the WIPO Development Agenda
A joint paper from the Library Copyright Alliance, of which SLA is a member, the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), and the Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL) was distributed setting out the Library position on the WIPO Development Agenda. The joint paper, titled A Development Agenda for WIPO: Why libraries care, was distributed to the Provisional Committee on Proposals Related to a WIPO Development Agenda, Fourth Session, in Geneva from 11-15 June, 2007. Read Joint Paper.

9 May 2007
SLA Continues to meet with EPA on Library Closures
SLA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continue to meet and discuss the EPA's library closures. Recently officials from both organizations met in an effort to bring some understanding about recent media reports that libraries were closing and materials discarded within the EPA's regional library network. An EPA representative will provide a status update on the EPA's plans for its library network on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 9-10:30 a.m. as one part of SLA's Public Policy Update at the SLA Annual Conference in Denver, CO. Read Press Release.

9 May 2007
Organizations Provide Statement on WIPO Broadcast Treaty
Several organizations, including SLA, provided a statement outlining concerns with the WIPO Treaty on the Protection of Broadcasts and Broadcasting Organizations and how it could harm important economic and public policy interests. Members the group also submitted a statement in connection with a forum held at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on September 5, 2006--and the issues identified in that earlier statement largely remain relevant. The more recent statement, dated May 9, offers preliminary comments regarding the chair's "Non-paper on the WIPO Treaty on the Protection of Broadcasting Organizations" issued by WIPO on May 1. Read Statement.

8 May 2007
LCA Issues Statement on WIPO Broadcast Treaty
The Library Copyright Alliance, of which SLA is a member, submitted a statement outlining concerns with the WIPO Broadcast Treaty. The U.S. libraries' position is that there is no compelling reason for the broadcast treaty, given the existence of the Rome Convention and the absence of any evidence of harm suffered by broadcasters. The statement also addressed why the U.S. should not support adoption of this treaty until a compelling case is made for its existence. Read Statement.

7 May 2007
SLA Supports NHTSA TIS Reading Room
SLA, AALL, and ALA have written to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in support of NHTSA's Technical Information Services (TIS), Reading Room and to request an update on missing resources reported in a letter from April 11 . The Reading Room provides important highway safety resources, especially those of historical nature, that are used by various groups within our communities: journalists, researchers, corporations, and the public. Though only a few individuals per day may visit the Reading Room, these individuals represent larger constituencies, and the information retrieved is compiled and disseminated to the population at large for public safety purposes. Read Letter.

3 May 2007
U.S. Government Reports Call for Access to Agency-Funded Research
The Alliance for Taxpayer Access (ATA), of which SLA is a member, released a media advisory about recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) highlighting the need for public access to taxpayer-funded research. Read More.

2 May 2007
Organizations Submit Letter Supporting FOIA Bill
A letter supporting the OPEN Government Act of 2007 (S. 849) and requesting co-sponsorship was sent to members of the U.S. Senate. Signatories included SLA. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is meant to ensure the public's access to government records. Many agencies employ stalling tactics and do not appear to take the mandates of the law seriously. The public has indicated it wants transparency and accountability from the government. Read Letter.

2 May 2007
Proposed TVNZ News Reference Library Closure in New Zealand
In a letter to Television New Zealand (TVNZ), SLA urged TVNZ officials not to close the TVNZ News Reference Library. The News Reference Library is a crucial resource to staff, journalists, and overseas correspondents who rely not only on timely access to information, but also on the professional librarians who collect, analyze, and disseminate information necessary for accurate decision making. Read Letter.

1 May 2007 - Forthcoming--National Library Legislative Day
SLA, in collaboration with ALA, will participate in National Library Legislative Day, 1-2 May 2007. Information professionals are invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in the two-day event that will focus on advocacy and issue training sessions, interact with Capitol Hill insiders, and visit Congressional offices to support legislation that backs libraries. Read More. 

1 May 2007
Oral Statement Given to the GPO
An oral statement was given by AALL on behalf of AALL and SLA in support the full FY 2008 appropriations request of the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). The statement also appealed to members of congress to support the GPO and the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), as well as issues relating to a successful transition to a more electronic FDLP. Read Statement.

11 April  2007
NHTSA Reading Room Threatened
In late February, SLA learned that The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Reading Room was being threatened with downsizing and/or closure as part of NHTSA's planned relocation to a new building. In March SLA and other organizations wrote a letter  to the (NHTSA) expressing the importance of individuals having access to this information to research on a daily basis. On 2 April 2007, SLA and several organizations met with NHSTA's Chief Information Officer Margaret O'Brien to get more detailed plans on the proposed changes and schedule . At that time it was assured that there would be a reading room in the new space. O'Brien requested a list of important reading room issues, and specific examples of materials which were no longer available. Safety Research & Strategies, Inc. compiled a list of this information, and provided it to NHSTA on 11 April 2007.

4 April 2007
U.S. Military Library ClosingsDuring the past several months, there have been several rumors of potential military library closings, and some actual library closings . It appears that the military may be running "what if" scenarios if additional funding is not received from the government. If funding is not received, the different branches may start to cut social programs, which include funding for base libraries. If these libraries close a number of services they offer will affect many military communities. SLA will continue to monitor this issue as more information becomes available. Please share any relevant information you may have with Doug Newcomb, Chief Policy Officer, at SLA. Related Article.

2 April 2007
EPA Library Closure Update
SLA has created a summary of the EPA Library closure issues and has provided multiple links to useful sites. SLA opposes EPA's decision to close libraries, and continues to advocate to keep them open. Read more.

1 April 2007
Organizations Comment on Possible DRM Legislation in Israel
Several organizations, including SLA , composed a letter to the Head of the Law, Information and Technology Authority Ministry of Justice of Israel. The letter addresses several issues involving Digital Rights Management (DRM), including the controversial issues surrounding anticircumvention rules. Read Letter.

28 March 2007
SLA Voices Concerns about CRS
SLA and other organizations wrote letters to Speaker of the house Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald, Rep. Vernon Ehlers, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and Sen. Robert Bennett to urge a ensure no-fee online public access to all Congressional Research Services (CRS) reports. Read Related Article. Read Memo.

21 March 2007
Letter Sent in Support of GPO Appropriations Request
SLA and other groups wrote a letter to the chairwomen and ranking members of the House and Senate Subcommittees on Legislative Branch on Appropriations in support of the FY 2008 appropriations request for the U.S. Government Printing Office. The letter urged support for the Public Printer's FY 2008 budget request. Read letter.

21 March 2007
SLA Supports Fair Use Act
SLA and other organizations strongly support the introduction of the Freedom And Innovation Revitalizing U.S. Entrepreneurship (FAIR USE) Act of 2007, H.R. 1201. At the end of 2006, Dr. Billington, the Librarian of Congress, approved six exemptions from the prohibition on circumvention of technological measures contained in section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. These exemptions will sunset in three years. The FAIR USE Act makes these six exemptions permanent. Two of these exemptions are particularly important to the library community: for screen readers for the visually impaired and for film clip compilations for college media studies classes. Read letter.

13 March 2007
LCA Makes Statement on Orphan Works
The Library Copyright Alliance, of which SLA is a member, has released an overview statement reviewing the Orphan Works issue. Orphan works are works whose copyright owners cannot be identified and located. Libraries and archives possess millions of orphan works in their collections, in the form of photographs, letters, manuscripts, drawings, and older books. These works often have great historic and cultural significance. Read More. 

12 March 2007
"Closed Doors, Open Democracies" Webcast
As part of Sunshine Week 2007, SLA and several other organizations participated as a cosponsor in the second dialogue on open government and secrecy, "Closed Doors, Open Democracies." The 90-minute program was  webcast to sites around the U.S. at 1 p.m. EST 12 March 2007. It focused on access to government information, including the effect of government suppression and manipulation of scientific information on public health and safety and accountability. Read More.

27 February 2007
LCA Strongly Supports H.R. 1201, the FAIR USE Act
SLA and other organizations in the Library Copyright Alliance distributed a press release in strong support of the Freedom and Innovation Revitalizing U.S. Entrepreneurship (FAIR USE) Act of 2007, H.R. 1201.  Read LCA Press Release.  Read Congress of the United States House of Representatives Press Release

26 February 2007
FAIR USE Provision in Copyright Bill in Israel
SLA and other organizations representing a broad spectrum of technology companies, libraries, and consumers, have commended the Knessett Economics Committee for its effort to bring Israeli copyright law into the 21st century and, in particular, for its inclusion of a non-exhaustive fair use provision in its approved text for Section 19 of the pending copyright bill. Copyright law strives to promote the broad availability of literature, music, and other works by providing authors with exclusive rights over their creations while maintaining a rich public domain that allows creativity to flourish. To achieve this optimal level of copyright protection, legislators must balance the scope of rights accorded to authors with limited exceptions to those rights. Read Letter.

20 February 2007
LCA Makes Statements at WIPO meeting in Geneva
The Library Copyright Alliance, of which SLA is a member, released two statements regarding current the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) meeting of Provisional Committee on the Development Agenda. The 20 February 2007 statement addresses four points that relate directly to how WIPO should refine and implement the proposals under consideration for facilitating a development agenda. The 21 February 2007 statement speaks specifically about electronic information for libraries and widespread access to the information, and addresses specific sections of various proposals. WIPO also gathered in January to further discuss Broadcast treaty. One of the concerns is that the treaty is not limited to signal theft. Instead, it creates a set of broad and unwieldy intellectual property rights in the recording and use of fixed transmissions, which are likely to restrict the public's access to information in the public domain. Read More.

2 February 2007
SLA Submits Official Comments on EPA Library Closures
SLA provided a letter and commentary to Committee Chair Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing on 6 February 2007 regarding the closure of EPA Libraries. Senator Boxer referred to SLA three times during the hearing and SLA's comments were entered into the official Record. Read Letter.