Jazzy Wright Hotline

Sequestration goes into effect (subject of the new book Nuanced Absolutism) In March, sequestration—automatic cuts to and a conversation on the forthcoming video all federal discretionary programs—went into documentary Whistleblowers. effect after Congress could not reach an agree- This event was held in partnership with ment on a deficit reduction plan. As a result, the First Amendment Center, OpenTheGov- sequestration will impact all libraries served by ernment.org, the Project on Government state library agencies. The Institute for Museum Oversight, and the Reporters Committee for and Library Services (IMLS) has been cut by $12 Freedom of the Press. The conference is also million, which includes $7.86 million in cuts to part of the annual Sunshine Week initiative the Library Services and Technology Act (the sponsored by the American Society of News federal sequester will mean a 5 percent cut in Editors and the Reporters Committee for the $232 million allocated to IMLS). Freedom of the Press. Overall, state programs will be cut, and each state will decide how the reduced budgets will Say hello to FASTR: New open access bill affect the services delivered to the public, which introduced may include the reduction of summer reading The Fair Access to Science and Technology programs, database subscriptions, workforce Research Act (FASTR) was introduced to both development programs (such as employment the House and Senate in February. The lan- skills and job searching), and services to people guage of the bill is almost identical to that of with disabilities. Future grant program budgets Federal Research Public Access Act (FRPAA), will also be slashed, though grants already the legislation introduced in the last Congress awarded will not be affected by sequestration. that would require public access to taxpayer- funded research. Representative presents If passed, FASTR would require federal ALA Award departments and agencies to ensure that re- On March 15, 2013, Representative Zoe Lofgren searchers submit electronic copies of their final (D-CA) presented the 2013 James Madison manuscripts accepted for publication in a peer- Award during the 15th Annual Freedom of reviewed journal. Additionally, the bill would Information Day in Washington, D.C. Lofgren require that each taxpayer-funded manuscript posthumously awarded , open be made available to the public online and access champion and activist, the award for his without cost, no later than six months after the dedication to promoting and protecting public article has been published in a peer-reviewed access to research and government information. journal. The award, named in honor of President Senators (R-TX) and cospon- James Madison, honors individuals who have sor Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the bill S. championed, protected, and promoted public 350 to the Senate, and Representatives Michael access to government information and the Doyle (D-PA) and cosponsors Zoe Lofgren (D- public’s right to know national information. CA) and Kevin Yoder (R-KS) introduced bill HR Lofgren, who received the award in 2012, 708. to the House. spoke on the importance of access to informa- ALA thanked Doyle for his support by sign- tion. The day featured a keynote discussion ing on to a letter expressing gratitude for his with First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams “leadership in introducing the Fair Access to Science and Technology Act, and for [his] long- Jazzy Wright is press officer, ALA Office of Government standing commitment to the success of crucial Relations, e-mail: [email protected] public access policies.

April 2013 211 C&RL News