Reports on the 116th Annual Conference of the American Library Association (ALA) held in San Francisco June 26-July 1, 1997. Discusses intellectual freedom and Internet filters, the Communications Decency Act, the 1996 Telecommunications Act's Universal Service provision, the Hawaii outsourcing model, exhibits, books and authors, diversity, ALA…

With new technology, and with students continuing to push the limits of computer usage, higher education administrators are being forced to take a stand on issues regarding misuse of campus computer resources and facilities. Argues that education is the key to helping others understand it is possible to misuse the Internet. (MKA)

A panel of 16 school administrators from 8 states developed this draft application for discounted school telecommunications services as part of efforts to advise the Federal Communications Commission on rural implications of the implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The application is split into a seven-page cover application to be…

New digital technologies and the rapid growth of the Internet are restructuring communications systems and transforming education and the economy. Noting that many of the resulting telecommunications policies will be made at the state level, this publication provides guidelines for child advocates to influence state policy regarding children's use…

This document provides the text of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, legislation enacted "to promote competition and reduce regulation in order to secure lower prices and higher quality services for American telecommunications consumers and encourage the rapid deployment of new telecommunications technologies." The legislation contains…

With the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the pace of regulatory change related to telecommunications increased exponentially. The impact on rural areas is significant; the issues specific to southern states and communities are unique. This paper begins with a chapter on the importance of telecommunications technology to rural…

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) appointed a Joint Board to recommend changes in existing FCC rules to fulfill the regulatory mandates of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Joint Board, which consists of three FCC commissioners, four State commissioners, and one consumer advocate, issued its recommendations to the FCC in a 500-page…

The enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 contains a number of provisions that clearly affect community college and university use of telecommunications and information services. The Telecommunications Act expands the concept of universal service, or the idea that all Americans should have access to basic telephone service; requires…

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 constitutes a major overhaul of telecommunications law and will have a major impact on rural residents, communities, schools, libraries, and hospitals. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requesting comments from "the grassroots" about telecommunications issues and concerns of greatest…

Despite the widespread availability of Web-based information resources, it is difficult for some people who rely on assistive technology to access and process these materials. Web designers can play an active role in facilitating access by formatting resources so that they are compatible with these technologies. This can be accomplished by…

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 constitutes a major overhaul of telecommunications law and will have a major impact on rural residents, communities, schools, libraries, and hospitals. This paper presents 68 key points from the Federal Communication Commission's Universal Service Report and Order, Section X: Schools and Libraries, which contains…