In this issue...

1.  EPA Puts Brakes on Closures - Senate Hearing Scheduled
2.  National Library Legislative Day
3.  Closed Doors, Open Democracies?
4.  GPO Searching for New Members for Council
5.  Rep. Berman to Lead Copyright Panel
6.  Copyright Office Recognizes Problems of Orphan Works
7.  Australian Picture and Copyright Association Launched
8.  ALA: DoJ Fails to Comprehend the Role of Libraries
9.  Canada Revamps Copyright Laws

EPA Puts Brakes on Closures - Senate Hearing Scheduled for 6  February  2007
The EPA has put a halt to shutting down more of its libraries and has ceased destroying duplicative research materials until it answers questions from Congress, according to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jessica Emond, the deputy press secretary at the EPA, said the agency has rescheduled "the recycling" of EPA materials that are duplicates or obsolete. Read More.

SLA has expressed grave concerns with the actions of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as they moved to begin closing its network of 27 EPA libraries and information centers across the United States. SLA denounced the proposal to close EPA Libraries  immediately when we heard the news in February 2006.  SLA members are encouraged to contact their representatives to voice their opinions on SLA's Legislative Action Center.   In August 2006  SLA publicly denounced EPA's decision to close libraries before Congressional action, and has met twice with EPA officials in January 2007.

The first hearing about the EPA Library closures by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee  will be held on 6 February 2007. SLA continues to voice its strong opposition to the proposed library closures and will report on our progress.  In the meantime, we urge you to contact your Representatives and/or members of this Committee to express your opinion.

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.

Closed Doors, Open Democracies?
As part of Sunshine Week 2007, several organizations, including SLA, are inviting members to participate in the second dialogue on open government and secrecy, "Closed Doors, Open Democracies?" The 90-minute program will be webcast to sites around the U.S. at 1 p.m. EST 12 March 2007. It will focus 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.

GPO Searching for New Members for Council
The Government Printing Office has asked SLA to recommend new members for the Depository Library Council, an advisory body that counsels the public printer on trends, innovation, and new concepts. For more information, please contact Doug Newcomb. Read More.

Berman to Lead Copyright Panel
U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman's oversight of the Judiciary Committee's panel on the Internet and Intellectual Property has left fair-use advocates fearful. Berman (D-California) is sometimes known as

Hollywood's Congressman and will be wielding the chair's gavel. The position will give Berman considerable sway over laws regulating the transition to digital media, leaving consumer electronics makers and public interest groups supporting public access to digital content wary. Read More: LA Times article, TMCnet Blog.

 Copyright Office Recognizes Problems of Orphan Works
The U.S. Copyright Office has recognized the problems of "orphan works" that authors, libraries, and other institutions are seeking permission to re-use. Similar issues have been brought up in the European Union also. According to the International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers, solutions can be found to solve these problems, and efforts to locate and obtain permission should be encouraged. Read More.

Australian Picture and Copyright Association Launched
The Australian Picture and Copyright Association for picture research and copyright clearance professionals has been unveiled. The organization was formed to provide support, training, and advice to people working in the field. Read More.

ALA: DoJ Fails to Comprehend the Role of Libraries
The Department of Justice fails to realize the role of libraries and the importance of privacy in the United States, the American Library Association says in a statement. Read More.

Canada Revamps Copyright Laws
With changes to Canadian copyright laws anticipated as early as February, routine activities such as recording a television show or a movie or copying a CD to an MP3 player could theoretically be open to prosecution?unless the government moves to expand "fair use" or "fair dealing" protections for consumers. Read the full Canadian Press report on the CBC Web site.