Statement

Every year, the federal government funds tens of billions of dollars in basic and applied research with the expectation that the results will accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, stimulate innovation, and improve the public good. These research results typically are reported in articles published in a wide variety of academic journals. However, the high cost of journal subscriptions and restrictive licensing terms severely limits public access to these articles. Because U.S. taxpayers underwrite this research, they have a right to expect its dissemination and use will be maximized.

patransitionoawg.pdf

Speaking on behalf of five of the nation's leading library organization—the American Association of Law Libraries, the American Library Association, the Association of Research Libraries, the Medical Library Association, and the Special Libraries Association—Prudence S. Adler, Associate Executive Director, ARL, voiced the opposition of the library community to the recently introduced "Database and Collections of Information Misappropriation Act" (H.R. 3261).

hr3261-pressrelease-20oct03.pdf

The American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) (the "Libraries") seek language in the RESTORE Act and other FISA modernization proposals that ensures judicial review of law enforcement requests for library patron records or surveillance of library users through library networks.

protecting-privacy-22oct07.pdf

The mission of the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition is to improve the broadband capabilities of schools, libraries, and health care providers so that they can enhance the quality and availability of the essential services they provide to the public and serve underserved and unserved populations more effectively.