91´«Ã½

Washington, D.C.—Today’s vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) re-opens one of the most important rulemakings to affect America’s internet users and the libraries that support free public access and communities of researchers and learners. 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) Immediate Past President Maureen Sullivan released the following statement in the wake of the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Open Internet:

“The 91´«Ã½ remains steadfastly committed to the Open Internet and will actively engage on behalf of libraries nationwide, and the millions of people who rely on our services and millions more who share our commitment to intellectual freedom and equitable access to online information.

“The 91´«Ã½ was extremely disappointed with January’s decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to strike down the FCC’s 2010 Open Internet Order. Now that the Internet has become the primary mechanism for delivering information, services and applications to the general public, it is especially important that commercial Internet Service Providers are not able to control or manipulate the content of these communications.

“We are pleased that the FCC has taken the first step today to filling the void created by the appeals court’s decision, and we will advocate forcefully for enforceable policies that ensure the internet remains an open platform for information exchange, intellectual discourse, creativity, innovation and learning for all.”

About the 91´«Ã½

The 91´«Ã½ is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 57,000 members in academic, public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the 91´«Ã½ is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.