2003 Legislative Priorities
Priorities
- Advocate for full funding of the Public Library Foundation (PLF) program and oppose any reductions beyond the 2002/03 budget level of $31.5 million.
- Encourage appropriate levels of funding for current programs that provide for resource-sharing among all types of libraries and explore models for utilizing the most appropriate methods to deliver those programs through the Library of California, the California Library Services Act, Library Services and Technology Act funding and other alternatives.
- Advocate for a new Public Library Construction Bond Act to address new and unmet facility needs identified in the 2000 Bond Act.
- Advocate for reauthorization of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and seek additional funding for LSTA.
State
- Encourage support for all types of libraries including public, academic, school, law libraries and special libraries and the California State Library.
- Actively monitor and oppose legislation that jeopardizes open access to information in any format.
- Actively monitor legislation that jeopardizes the confidentiality of library patron information.
- Support the most beneficial implementation of the Teleconnect Fund and actively monitor the review of universal service by the CPUC.
- Work with CSLA on legislative issues of mutual interest.
- Support legislation which restores lost revenues that were diverted to the Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) as a result of the state property tax shift.
- Actively monitor and oppose legislation that introduces the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA) as state law.
Federal
- Actively monitor and oppose legislation that jeopardizes open access to information in any format.
- Actively monitor legislation that jeopardizes the confidentiality of library patron information.
- Support the most beneficial implementation of universal service and library connectivity discount provisions (Telecommunications Act of 1996).
- Support the challenge by the American Library Association (ALA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to the constitutionality of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments such as UCITA, copyright, the future of the Government Printing Office and Library of Congress.