New

• ARL Submits Comments to OSTP re Public Access Policies for Science & Technology Funding Agencies (Jan. 15, '10) [PDF]

• Open Internet Coalition Comments to FCC on Preserving Open Internet Broadband Industry Practices (Jan. 14, '10) [PDF]

• ARL, EDUCAUSE, Internet2, ACUTA, NYSERNet File Comments to FCC on Preserving the Open Internet (Jan. 14, '10) [PDF]

• Ithaka Report—"Documents for a Digital Democracy: A Model for the Federal Depository Library Program in the 21st Century" (Dec. 17, '09) [PDF]

• ARL, ALA, and ACRL Write Letter in Regard to the Updated Google Book Search Settlement (Dec. 15, '09) [PDF]

• ARL, ALA, ACRL Submit Reply Comments on Facilitating Access to Copyrighted Works for the Blind or Persons with Other Disabilities (Dec. 4, '09) [PDF]

• Guide for the Perplexed III: The Amended Google Book Search Settlement by Jonathan Band (Nov. 23, '09) [PDF]

Overview

A primary goal of the Public Policies program is to influence legislative action that is favorable to the research library and higher education communities.

To achieve this goal, the program helps ARL members keep abreast of the legislative landscape, as well as rapidly changing issues, players, regulations, and community priorities.

The program staff track the activities of state and federal legislatures as well as regulatory and government agencies in North America and abroad.

The program analyzes, responds to, and seeks to influence public initiatives on information, intellectual property, and telecommunications policies.

In addition, the program promotes funding for numerous agencies and national institutions and advances ARL members' interests on these issues.

The Public Policies program monitors Canadian information policies such as copyright and intellectual property and access to government information through the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL).