Federal: Updates to the FCC privacy rules approved under the Obama administration in October 2016 were repealed last week in Congress. The new resolution allows internet service providers to collect user information and sell it to advertisers without having to obtain the user’s consent. Suggestions to aid librarians in protecting their patrons’ privacy may be found at the District Dispatch.
The Library Copyright Alliance (LCA) is opposing a bill that would give the President oversight of appointing the Register of Copyrights. Currently, this responsibility is in the domain of the Librarian of Congress. LCA is against this action because it would politicize the appointment, slow action in modernizing the Copyright Office, and decrease accountability due to a proposed 10-year term. Further information is available at the District Dispatch.
State: The House bill (HB 0136) to make the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library a separate state agency has been voted on by the State Government Administration Committee, which unanimously voted to recommend that the bill be adopted. The bill has also picked up another Chief Co-Sponsor – Rep. Tim Butler. Dates have not yet been set for future actions.
- Update – Gov Rauner signed an executive order: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-lincoln-museum-20170401-story.html
An article of interest was recently published in the State Journal Register: $2.2M more in budget cuts could be coming to SIU medical school The article specifically mentions that the library acquisitions budget is a cut that might be made.