ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline Volume 15, Number 49 May 4, 2006 In This Issue: Action Needed on Net Neutrality Bill Yesterday Representative Ed Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to his colleagues in the Congress asking for support of H.R. 5273, the "Network Neutrality Act of 2006," a bill he co-sponsored along with Representatives Boucher (D-VA), Eshoo (D-CA), and Inslee (D- WA). Please call your Members of Congress today and urge them to co- sponsor this important legislation. Background: Until now, all Internet content is equally accessible to users – it is not more difficult to access one website than another. But some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) want to change the rules – economically or technically – to allow favored access to some content providers for an added fee. If the nation's largest telephone and cable companies are allowed to limit access and discriminate against those who cannot pay higher tolls, then libraries, schools, colleges, non-profit groups, small businesses, independent publications and bloggers could be blocked from digital-age benefits and innovations. Library advocates can make a difference by emphasizing the need for network neutrality and an open Internet and its importance to library users, businesses, education and the general public. Key Messages: Ask your Member of Congress co-sponsor H.R. 5273 and preserve network neutrality. Please feel free to use the following messages: * Libraries are committed to the core principle of open and equitable access to information of all kinds. The Internet is built upon a similar principle that ensures the ability of all people to publish and access information without discriminatory barriers. * Libraries are both users and creators of Internet content. It is critical for libraries to have non-discriminatory access to serve the public whether for those who come to libraries or those who remotely access library resources. * H.R. 5273 is civil rights for the Internet. It will ensure that the basic and essential principle of open and non-discriminatory access to all information will endure. A copy of the bill is located here: http://markey.house.gov/docs/telecomm/Markey%20Net%20Neutrality%20 Act%20of%202006.pdf ****** ALAWON (ISSN 1069-7799) is a free, irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office. All materials subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. To subscribe to ALAWON, send the message: subscribe ala-wo [your_firstname] [your_lastname] to listproc@ala.org or go to http://www.ala.org/washoff/alawon. To unsubscribe to ALAWON, send the message: unsubscribe ala-wo to listproc@ala.org. ALAWON archives at http://www.ala.org/washoff/alawon. ALA Washington Office, 1615 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., First Floor, Washington, D.C. 20009-2520; phone: 202.628.8410 or 800.941.8478 toll-free; fax: 202.628.8419; Web site: http://www.ala.org/washoff. Executive Director: Emily Sheketoff. Office of Government Relations: Lynne Bradley, Director; Don Essex, Melanie Anderson, Erin Haggerty, Patrice McDermott and Miriam Nisbet. Office for Information Technology Policy: Rick Weingarten, Director; Carrie Lowe, Kathy Mitchell, Carrie Russell. ALAWON Editor: Bernadette Murphy.