WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 1 00:00:01.300 --> 00:00:05.600 DIRECTOR REYES-GAVILAN: Good morning and welcome to the Martin Luther King Jr. 2 00:00:05.600 --> 00:00:06.660 Memorial Library. 3 00:00:06.660 --> 00:00:09.870 My name is Richard Reyes-Gavilan, and I am the Executive Director of the District of 4 00:00:09.870 --> 00:00:11.350 Columbia Public Library. 5 00:00:11.350 --> 00:00:15.870 It is my honor to welcome you all to the library this morning to join our distinguished guests 6 00:00:15.870 --> 00:00:22.349 for this important public hearing on the evolving and growing need for broadband access in America's 7 00:00:22.349 --> 00:00:23.880 libraries. 8 00:00:23.880 --> 00:00:29.089 So libraries have been talking for years about bridging the digital divide and I think that 9 00:00:29.089 --> 00:00:33.719 phrase has been around as long as I've been working in libraries which is about 20 years 10 00:00:33.719 --> 00:00:35.379 now, if not longer. 11 00:00:35.379 --> 00:00:39.579 I have to admit something -- that about seven or eight years ago, I started getting kind 12 00:00:39.579 --> 00:00:42.920 tired of this phrase "the digital divide." 13 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:47.910 My feeling was that the issue was increasingly less about bridging the digital divide and 14 00:00:47.910 --> 00:00:50.240 more about bridging the digital skills divide. 15 00:00:50.240 --> 00:00:54.860 In other words, it was less about providing access and more about providing the literacy 16 00:00:54.860 --> 00:00:57.980 necessary once access was attained. 17 00:00:57.980 --> 00:01:00.570 I'll also admit that I was wrong. 18 00:01:00.570 --> 00:01:04.809 In many ways, the digital divide is as big as it's ever been and that's really because 19 00:01:04.809 --> 00:01:10.280 so much of the world has moved exclusively online, and those of us who haven't are really 20 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:12.330 at an increasing risk. 21 00:01:12.330 --> 00:01:17.970 So seven or eight years ago, you could apply for most jobs without being online. 22 00:01:17.970 --> 00:01:20.020 You can't do that today. 23 00:01:20.020 --> 00:01:23.080 Seven or eight years ago, you could easily communicate with your child's teacher without 24 00:01:23.080 --> 00:01:24.080 being online. 25 00:01:24.080 --> 00:01:26.340 You can't do that as easily today. 26 00:01:26.340 --> 00:01:30.740 Seven or eight years ago, you could apply for health insurance without being online. 27 00:01:30.740 --> 00:01:34.020 Seven or eight years ago, you could take the high school equivalency examination without 28 00:01:34.020 --> 00:01:35.290 being online. 29 00:01:35.290 --> 00:01:40.530 None of this possible now without reliable high-speed access and public libraries remain 30 00:01:40.530 --> 00:01:43.780 the very best option to level the playing field. 31 00:01:43.780 --> 00:01:48.330 I know that's true because of the incredible success that the Broadband Technology Opportunities 32 00:01:48.330 --> 00:01:52.640 Program has had across the country here and at my previous job at the Brooklyn Public 33 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:58.610 Library, just amazing, amazing things, making great strides not only improving the infrastructure 34 00:01:58.610 --> 00:02:04.690 to support public computing but addressing that digital skills divide that I was mentioning 35 00:02:04.690 --> 00:02:06.110 as well. 36 00:02:06.110 --> 00:02:10.610 But BTOP is over and many of us are wondering how do we build on the incredible success 37 00:02:10.610 --> 00:02:15.880 of that program and where is the additional funding going to come from. 38 00:02:15.880 --> 00:02:20.400 So I should take a moment on the other end of the digital literacy spectrum to talk to 39 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:22.630 you a bit about the room in which we're sitting. 40 00:02:22.630 --> 00:02:26.590 This is our digital commons, a space that opened up last summer. 41 00:02:26.590 --> 00:02:31.940 In addition to providing basic internet access, it provides access to an increasingly sophisticated 42 00:02:31.940 --> 00:02:36.420 set of tools like the Adobe Creative Suite and the Espresso Book Printing Machine that 43 00:02:36.420 --> 00:02:39.450 require even faster connectivity. 44 00:02:39.450 --> 00:02:43.140 This room really is the true embodiment of public libraries serving the broad continuum 45 00:02:43.140 --> 00:02:46.569 of adult learning needs across the city, but it wasn't cheap. 46 00:02:46.569 --> 00:02:48.790 It cost somewhere around 3 or 4 million dollars. 47 00:02:48.790 --> 00:02:51.890 How can build more of them because we know the need is there. 48 00:02:51.890 --> 00:02:55.450 So I'm hoping that our panel will talk a little bit about some of this stuff. 49 00:02:55.450 --> 00:03:01.150 Anyway, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you Susan Hildreth, the Director of the 50 00:03:01.150 --> 00:03:03.900 Institute of Museum and Library Services. 51 00:03:03.900 --> 00:03:10.480 Susan really has done, I think, so much in her tenure to elevate libraries in the public 52 00:03:10.480 --> 00:03:16.090 consciousness and we all owe her a really amazing debt of gratitude, and we'll be sorry 53 00:03:16.090 --> 00:03:17.090 to see her go. 54 00:03:17.090 --> 00:03:18.090 But Susan, please. 55 00:03:18.090 --> 00:03:19.090 Thank you. 56 00:03:19.090 --> 00:03:21.319 (Applause) DIRECTOR HILDRETH: Thank you. 57 00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:23.770 All right. 58 00:03:23.770 --> 00:03:33.700 I'd ask our gentlemen, the two Toms, if you wouldn't mind joining me here on the stage. 59 00:03:33.700 --> 00:03:37.090 Good morning, everyone. 60 00:03:37.090 --> 00:03:54.180 Well, it is so wonderful to be here. 61 00:03:54.180 --> 00:03:56.970 So first of all, welcome, everyone. 62 00:03:56.970 --> 00:04:03.100 This event is being recorded and will be made available to the public, so everybody keep 63 00:04:03.100 --> 00:04:06.690 that in mind as we have our exciting dialogue here. 64 00:04:06.690 --> 00:04:11.590 It is my pleasure to convene the Institute of Museum and Library Services Hearing on 65 00:04:11.590 --> 00:04:16.650 Libraries and Broadband, and I'm doubly excited because we're having this great event during 66 00:04:16.650 --> 00:04:18.189 National Library Week. 67 00:04:18.189 --> 00:04:19.259 Hooray Library Week! 68 00:04:19.259 --> 00:04:20.259 Woo- hoo! 69 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:24.810 (Applause) DIRECTOR HILDRETH: And first, I want to thank our host, the DC Public Library. 70 00:04:24.810 --> 00:04:30.960 We couldn't have a better venue for this event than the Digital Commons where connectivity 71 00:04:30.960 --> 00:04:32.740 and learning come alive. 72 00:04:32.740 --> 00:04:34.210 Just take a look over there. 73 00:04:34.210 --> 00:04:38.169 This building just opened up and this place is packed with people using these resources. 74 00:04:38.169 --> 00:04:40.849 So this is what it's all about. 75 00:04:40.849 --> 00:04:45.539 The issue we are discussing today is of great importance to the millions of Americans who 76 00:04:45.539 --> 00:04:51.330 use broadband at the Nation's 17,000 public libraries as well as those who use broadband 77 00:04:51.330 --> 00:04:54.349 at home to access library resources. 78 00:04:54.349 --> 00:04:58.629 Every day, children, teens and adults use broadband at their local library to further 79 00:04:58.629 --> 00:05:03.710 their education, find workforce and health information, seek digital literacy training 80 00:05:03.710 --> 00:05:05.689 and much more. 81 00:05:05.689 --> 00:05:11.729 So today I am very proud to be joined by members of the National Museum and Library Services 82 00:05:11.729 --> 00:05:17.560 Board and they're with me here on podium: Charles Benton of Illinois, Christie Brandau 83 00:05:17.560 --> 00:05:23.330 of Iowa, Carla Hayden of Maryland, and Winston Tabb of Maryland. 84 00:05:23.330 --> 00:05:25.949 The board provides policy advice to IMLS. 85 00:05:25.949 --> 00:05:30.330 We're also fortunate to have another Board member in the audience, John Coppola, who 86 00:05:30.330 --> 00:05:34.639 comes from the museum side of the house, and I see some museum faces out there, so hi, 87 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:35.639 museums. 88 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:36.639 We love you, too. 89 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:41.509 And we're also honored to have David Ferriero with us, the Archivist of the United States, 90 00:05:41.509 --> 00:05:43.509 and we also -- there he is. 91 00:05:43.509 --> 00:05:47.800 Hello, David, and he's got a lot of content, that guy does. 92 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:52.810 And we're excited to have the past President of American Library Association here today, 93 00:05:52.810 --> 00:05:53.810 Maureen Sullivan. 94 00:05:53.810 --> 00:05:56.240 So thank you for being with us today. 95 00:05:56.240 --> 00:06:01.550 This is really the first time that IMLS has used its statutory authority to advise the 96 00:06:01.550 --> 00:06:06.080 President, Congress and the other federal agencies on library, museums and information 97 00:06:06.080 --> 00:06:09.009 services and also to hold public hearings. 98 00:06:09.009 --> 00:06:13.960 This authority was provided to IMLS during the 2010 Reauthorization of the Museum and 99 00:06:13.960 --> 00:06:20.469 Library Services Act which incorporated into the IMLS law responsibilities that were previously 100 00:06:20.469 --> 00:06:25.189 held by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. 101 00:06:25.189 --> 00:06:30.249 We chose this moment to use this new authority because this is a moment full of potential. 102 00:06:30.249 --> 00:06:35.379 We are encouraged that Tom Wheeler, the Federal Communications Commission Chairman is working 103 00:06:35.379 --> 00:06:40.500 actively to modernize the E-Rate, an important source of telecommunications discounts for 104 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:42.550 libraries and schools. 105 00:06:42.550 --> 00:06:48.749 And considering the analysis of FCC data that ILMS just released yesterday, this moment 106 00:06:48.749 --> 00:06:52.759 is perhaps of even great importance than many of us may have realized. 107 00:06:52.759 --> 00:07:00.270 Our analysis shows that a total of 15,551 individual libraries have used the discounts 108 00:07:00.270 --> 00:07:02.240 provided by the E-Rate. 109 00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:05.009 Now this actual number varies from year- to-year. 110 00:07:05.009 --> 00:07:10.539 However, in looking at 11 years worth of data that we had, we found that the annual participation 111 00:07:10.539 --> 00:07:18.389 rate ranged from 67 to 73 percent of all the libraries in the U.S., so we are taking advantage 112 00:07:18.389 --> 00:07:20.029 of this program. 113 00:07:20.029 --> 00:07:25.460 The E-Rate was created 17 years ago when the first overhaul of the Telecommunications Act 114 00:07:25.460 --> 00:07:29.339 in 62 years was passed in 1996. 115 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:34.490 This is the same year that the Museum and Library Services Act was first enacted creating 116 00:07:34.490 --> 00:07:40.740 IMLS and in a move that recognized the importance of technology in the library world changed 117 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:45.860 the Library and Services Construction Act, and some people do miss that but we moved 118 00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:50.699 on to the Library Services and Technology Act, LSTA. 119 00:07:50.699 --> 00:07:56.810 Through LSTA, ILMS supports statewide initiatives and national priorities to help public, academic, 120 00:07:56.810 --> 00:08:02.259 college, tribal and school libraries serve the public, especially targeting library services 121 00:08:02.259 --> 00:08:11.990 to individuals with geographic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds -- we help diverse 122 00:08:11.990 --> 00:08:17.569 people -- to individuals with disabilities, individuals of limited functional literacy 123 00:08:17.569 --> 00:08:19.319 or information skills. 124 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:24.649 And from its creation, IMLS has recognized the importance of a connected society and 125 00:08:24.649 --> 00:08:30.159 the library's unique leadership role as a hub for our digital world. 126 00:08:30.159 --> 00:08:34.099 We're again at a crucial moment where the intersection of emerging technologies and 127 00:08:34.099 --> 00:08:38.789 delivering broadband services and the needs of library professionals and library customers 128 00:08:38.789 --> 00:08:39.789 meet. 129 00:08:39.789 --> 00:08:45.829 I'd like to note for the record that the National Broadband Plan issued four years ago recommended 130 00:08:45.829 --> 00:08:52.810 affordable access to at least one gigabit per second broadband service to anchor institutions, 131 00:08:52.810 --> 00:08:56.019 including libraries, a very laudable goal. 132 00:08:56.019 --> 00:09:02.230 The FCC, through its recent efforts to modernize the E-Rate Program, the President's own ConnectED 133 00:09:02.230 --> 00:09:07.300 initiative and the recent grants through the Broadband Technology Opportunities -- the 134 00:09:07.300 --> 00:09:12.430 BTOP program demonstrate a national commitment and sense of urgency around high-speed internet 135 00:09:12.430 --> 00:09:20.380 delivery and the opportunity for innovation that access provides for our communities. 136 00:09:20.380 --> 00:09:26.230 Public access to technology and to content is dependent on high-speed internet delivery. 137 00:09:26.230 --> 00:09:31.790 We know that one-third of all Americans, 100 million people have not adopted broadband 138 00:09:31.790 --> 00:09:37.829 high-speed internet at home for a variety of reasons, and we also know that 19 million 139 00:09:37.829 --> 00:09:40.800 do not have access at all. 140 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:45.819 This has a dramatic impact on the capacity of public libraries to serve those left out 141 00:09:45.819 --> 00:09:51.540 of the benefits of full participation in a digital world and the recent economic recession 142 00:09:51.540 --> 00:09:52.709 bears this out. 143 00:09:52.709 --> 00:09:57.310 As millions of Americans flocked to public libraries to access workforce development 144 00:09:57.310 --> 00:10:02.170 and information on economic opportunities, our libraries continued their well- established 145 00:10:02.170 --> 00:10:04.290 role as community anchors. 146 00:10:04.290 --> 00:10:09.209 We know that America's jobseekers headed to their trusted institutions during this challenging 147 00:10:09.209 --> 00:10:14.519 time, often relying on the library's internet connection to search for work or sharpen their 148 00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:15.519 skills. 149 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:20.190 We also know that more than 80 percent of the Fortune 500 companies today require online 150 00:10:20.190 --> 00:10:21.639 job applications. 151 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:26.690 To realistically succeed in today's society, you need the internet. 152 00:10:26.690 --> 00:10:30.490 There can be no doubt that the speed of internet connections mater and are critical to making 153 00:10:30.490 --> 00:10:35.139 good on delivering the services and information our communities need. 154 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:40.550 As a federal agency with a public service mission, ILMS has a unique vantage point. 155 00:10:40.550 --> 00:10:44.480 We are here to better understand how to best serve the public interest. 156 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:49.130 We're not here to support one path forward but instead to provide an opportunity for 157 00:10:49.130 --> 00:10:52.790 a public hearing to examine a variety of points of view. 158 00:10:52.790 --> 00:10:57.180 And we look forward to hearing from our great lineup of panelists representing rural, tribal 159 00:10:57.180 --> 00:10:59.069 and urban perspectives. 160 00:10:59.069 --> 00:11:04.230 We will examine the broad public benefits of library broadband, analyze data on broadband 161 00:11:04.230 --> 00:11:09.740 use at public libraries and hear about solutions that will bring high-speed internet access 162 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:11.589 to libraries. 163 00:11:11.589 --> 00:11:18.079 So thank you very much and we'll now begin with a wonderful welcome by FCC Chairman, 164 00:11:18.079 --> 00:11:19.079 Tom Wheeler. 165 00:11:19.079 --> 00:11:23.540 It gives me great pleasure to introduce the current FCC Chairman, Thomas Wheeler, who 166 00:11:23.540 --> 00:11:26.779 has graciously taken time to start things off for us this morning. 167 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:28.740 We appreciate that so much. 168 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:33.089 For over three decades, Chairman Wheeler has been involved with new telecommunications 169 00:11:33.089 --> 00:11:39.509 networks and services experiencing the revolution in telecommunications as policy expert, an 170 00:11:39.509 --> 00:11:41.029 advocate and a businessman. 171 00:11:41.029 --> 00:11:46.759 As an entrepreneur, he started or helped start multiple companies offering innovative cable, 172 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:49.480 wireless and video communication services. 173 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:54.380 As I mentioned in my opening remarks, Chairman Wheeler has made it clear that he understands 174 00:11:54.380 --> 00:11:57.019 the importance and role of libraries. 175 00:11:57.019 --> 00:12:02.720 With his vast and diverse background in telecommunications and emerging technological issues, we are 176 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:05.459 very fortunate to have him here with us today. 177 00:12:05.459 --> 00:12:08.360 Please welcome Tom Wheeler. 178 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:17.350 (Applause) CHAIRMAN WHEELER: Thank you very much, Susan, and to the members of the Board. 179 00:12:17.350 --> 00:12:19.589 Nice to see you all here. 180 00:12:19.589 --> 00:12:28.529 This is something very important and congratulations to the Institute of Library and Museum Services 181 00:12:28.529 --> 00:12:34.699 for convening and for having this idea to help get this message out. 182 00:12:34.699 --> 00:12:41.350 You know, Susan and everybody there, I'm privileged to share the podium today with my friend, 183 00:12:41.350 --> 00:12:50.110 Tom Power, from the Whitehouse who has been a leading pusher, advocate for the kinds of 184 00:12:50.110 --> 00:12:57.830 changes that we have to be making to make sure that we're bringing the E- Rate Program 185 00:12:57.830 --> 00:12:59.370 into the 21st Century. 186 00:12:59.370 --> 00:13:06.860 And I'm also joined by a couple of my colleagues who are intimately involved in this, Jonathan 187 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:11.250 Chambers and Daniel Alvarez. 188 00:13:11.250 --> 00:13:18.920 And when you look for fingerprints on what the FCC is doing in terms of E-Rate reform, 189 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:23.870 you'll find John and Dan's fingerprints all over it. 190 00:13:23.870 --> 00:13:30.589 But there are also two other very important people in this audience, and I think that 191 00:13:30.589 --> 00:13:39.300 they're presence here today creates a construct for how we can discuss things: Chairman Reed 192 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:40.300 Hundt. 193 00:13:40.300 --> 00:13:50.279 I have the august responsibility of following Reed's footsteps as Chairman of the FCC and 194 00:13:50.279 --> 00:14:01.439 while there are many names that inevitably get attached to the E-Rate Program, the present 195 00:14:01.439 --> 00:14:08.810 at creation Seminole name associated with that is Reed Hundt. 196 00:14:08.810 --> 00:14:17.230 There would be no E-Rate Program without Reed Hundt and that is just a factual statement. 197 00:14:17.230 --> 00:14:26.189 (Applause) CHAIRMAN WHEELER: The Archivist of the United States, David Ferriero is also 198 00:14:26.189 --> 00:14:34.930 here and as Susan said, he's got more goodies in his house down on Pennsylvania Avenue than 199 00:14:34.930 --> 00:14:37.899 anyplace else. 200 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:44.019 And over the years, I've been privileged to hang around a lot of those goodies and hang 201 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:47.170 around David. 202 00:14:47.170 --> 00:14:49.889 He's a library guy to begin with, folks. 203 00:14:49.889 --> 00:14:56.079 He was stolen from the New York Public Library where he was running that great institution. 204 00:14:56.079 --> 00:15:02.670 But what he's done at the National Archives is to open up the National Archives and so 205 00:15:02.670 --> 00:15:09.759 much of that concept of opening up means digitization. 206 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:19.519 And I want to give you a personal example of why what Reed and David have enabled can 207 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:23.290 be transformative. 208 00:15:23.290 --> 00:15:31.870 I wrote a couple of books on the Civil War and the most recent was about Abraham Lincoln's 209 00:15:31.870 --> 00:15:37.579 use of the telegraph. 210 00:15:37.579 --> 00:15:46.190 And thank goodness, at the National Archives, there sit Abraham Lincoln's handwritten telegrams. 211 00:15:46.190 --> 00:15:51.690 You know, the Spielberg movie was a fabulous movie but they got the telegraph office scene 212 00:15:51.690 --> 00:15:52.690 wrong. 213 00:15:52.690 --> 00:15:56.459 Lincoln did not dictate his telegrams. 214 00:15:56.459 --> 00:15:58.720 He wrote them out in longhand. 215 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:07.620 And thank God he did and thank God they're saved at the National Archives because it 216 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:11.769 becomes a one degree of separation. 217 00:16:11.769 --> 00:16:24.040 When you hold in your white-gloved hand the piece of paper that Abraham Lincoln wrote 218 00:16:24.040 --> 00:16:32.019 on, there's one degree of separation that you feel from Abraham Lincoln, and that is 219 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:41.430 a privilege that a few researchers, like I was privileged to have, get. 220 00:16:41.430 --> 00:16:49.639 But what David has done is to digitize all of those documents, not only the telegrams 221 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:57.600 but the other great holdings of the National Archives so that there's one click between 222 00:16:57.600 --> 00:17:02.779 someone who wants to explore and Abraham Lincoln. 223 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:13.900 It used to be -- when I started my research on Lincoln's telegrams, I was using the microfilm 224 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:16.589 copies of his telegrams. 225 00:17:16.589 --> 00:17:20.430 And I'd get | this -- you know, we've all -- look, Susan's going "oh, we all know that" 226 00:17:20.430 --> 00:17:27.320 -- you'd get this canister and you'd sit down at this clunky machine and you would go through 227 00:17:27.320 --> 00:17:30.350 each microfilm picture one-by-one. 228 00:17:30.350 --> 00:17:37.510 Now thanks to David, you can click and it's there. 229 00:17:37.510 --> 00:17:47.640 So because people like David Ferrerio digitized the product, the information and because people 230 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:57.180 like Reed Hundt made that digitized information available, that's why the work that we're 231 00:17:57.180 --> 00:18:09.010 talking about here today in terms of the importance of libraries is so incredibly key to what 232 00:18:09.010 --> 00:18:15.280 gets done because, you know, as we're sitting in this room here, we're moving from stacks 233 00:18:15.280 --> 00:18:19.170 of books to online centers. 234 00:18:19.170 --> 00:18:26.540 The library has always been the on- ramp to the world of information and ideas and now 235 00:18:26.540 --> 00:18:34.020 that on- ramp is at gigabyte speeds. 236 00:18:34.020 --> 00:18:43.921 But you know, as you all know, and as I am seeing as I travel across the country, libraries 237 00:18:43.921 --> 00:18:52.990 are playing a more and more and more important role in our communities as was pointed out 238 00:18:52.990 --> 00:18:54.950 earlier. 239 00:18:54.950 --> 00:19:00.030 It's where Americans without computers go to get online. 240 00:19:00.030 --> 00:19:06.010 It's where students after school go to get online. 241 00:19:06.010 --> 00:19:12.370 It's where Americans go to apply for their VA benefits or apply for their healthcare 242 00:19:12.370 --> 00:19:15.750 or apply for their job. 243 00:19:15.750 --> 00:19:25.310 And it's where librarians end up being the guide at the side as people make these kinds 244 00:19:25.310 --> 00:19:30.280 of digital explorations. 245 00:19:30.280 --> 00:19:38.470 As a history buff, of course, I've always been interested in the role that Andrew Carnegie 246 00:19:38.470 --> 00:19:45.270 played in the library history of America. 247 00:19:45.270 --> 00:19:51.430 And one of the things that -- everybody always things Andrew Carnegie, steel. 248 00:19:51.430 --> 00:19:57.220 Andrew Carnegie was first a network guy. 249 00:19:57.220 --> 00:20:04.870 Andrew Carnegie started as a telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania Railroad. 250 00:20:04.870 --> 00:20:11.210 And as a matter of fact, he was brought here during the Civil War and was responsible for 251 00:20:11.210 --> 00:20:14.630 stringing the telegraph line that went out towards Manassas. 252 00:20:14.630 --> 00:20:19.820 He didn't make to Manassas before the battle but what we know -- what Abraham Lincoln knew 253 00:20:19.820 --> 00:20:26.930 about what was going on at the Battle of First Manassas was as a result of Andrew Carnegie's 254 00:20:26.930 --> 00:20:29.280 work. 255 00:20:29.280 --> 00:20:37.000 So it's appropriate that we're talking about libraries, about Carnegie's contribution in 256 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:46.940 making libraries what they were in the 19th Century and we come back to networks. 257 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:51.900 And that's why E-Rate modernization is so important. 258 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:56.530 You know, the program that we have is called the Schools and Libraries Program. 259 00:20:56.530 --> 00:21:06.580 We need also start calling it the libraries and schools program to make sure that we recognize 260 00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:14.140 and emphasize the important contribution of each of those institutions. 261 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:16.170 So what are we doing? 262 00:21:16.170 --> 00:21:26.130 We're moving from supporting 20th Century technology to 21st Century high-speed broadband 263 00:21:26.130 --> 00:21:27.990 technology. 264 00:21:27.990 --> 00:21:31.360 It's a reallocation of resources. 265 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:37.510 Reallocations of resources are never easy and never pleasant but they're essential if 266 00:21:37.510 --> 00:21:41.960 we're to keep pushing forward. 267 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:47.670 We're moving to broadband to the person at the library. 268 00:21:47.670 --> 00:21:56.250 It's not just the external connection but it's how do you get using wifi to the individual 269 00:21:56.250 --> 00:21:59.010 in the library. 270 00:21:59.010 --> 00:22:04.400 We're bringing the application and administrative process into the 21st Century as well by using 271 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:11.300 the same kind of broadband tools and we're focusing on fiscal responsibility. 272 00:22:11.300 --> 00:22:16.990 The key is not just more money although if more money is warranted, we will deal with 273 00:22:16.990 --> 00:22:17.990 that. 274 00:22:17.990 --> 00:22:27.490 But the key is money well spent by encouraging consortia, by creating longer support periods 275 00:22:27.490 --> 00:22:34.130 so you can have longer contracts with lower rates, and by establishing a system of reference 276 00:22:34.130 --> 00:22:41.890 pricing so that people know what is a fair process, because we don't expect librarians 277 00:22:41.890 --> 00:22:48.330 to be telecom experts and be able to go out there and haggle with telecom companies -- so 278 00:22:48.330 --> 00:22:56.240 how do we help in that regard -- and also to have limited pilot programs that test new 279 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:59.630 approaches that could benefit all. 280 00:22:59.630 --> 00:23:08.090 So, Susan, we're really grateful to you and to IMLS for launching this dialogue today. 281 00:23:08.090 --> 00:23:10.090 The timing is perfect. 282 00:23:10.090 --> 00:23:17.930 Our public notice is out now and we will shortly be releasing our plan for 2015 and forward. 283 00:23:17.930 --> 00:23:23.730 There is an incredible distinguished list of participants that you have lined up today. 284 00:23:23.730 --> 00:23:27.340 But I want to just return -- before I sit down, I want to return to the historical roots 285 00:23:27.340 --> 00:23:29.460 here for a second. 286 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:43.690 Andrew Carnegie built 2500 libraries in a public-private partnership in the 19th Century. 287 00:23:43.690 --> 00:23:56.040 He defined information access for millions and millions of people for over a century. 288 00:23:56.040 --> 00:24:07.620 We stand on the precipice of being able to have the same kind of Seminole impact on the 289 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:17.140 flow of information and ideas the 21st Century. 290 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:22.620 That's why the work that you all are doing is so important. 291 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:28.820 That's why the reform and modernization of the E-Rate Program is so essential. 292 00:24:28.820 --> 00:24:35.420 And that's why today's hearing and the kinds of topics that you're going to explore are 293 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:45.020 so helpful to those of us who are trying to work on just how do we seize on this incredible 294 00:24:45.020 --> 00:24:47.770 moment of historic significance. 295 00:24:47.770 --> 00:24:51.220 Thank you for all that you're doing. 296 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:53.790 MS. 297 00:24:53.790 --> 00:24:56.710 HILDRETH: Thank you. 298 00:24:56.710 --> 00:24:57.710 (Applause0 MS. 299 00:24:57.710 --> 00:24:58.710 HILDRETH: Thank you so much, Chairman Wheeler. 300 00:24:58.710 --> 00:25:02.620 That was inspiring and I just have to say that I know librarians don't particularly 301 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:07.420 want to haggle with telecom folks but we haggle with everything that we do. 302 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.650 We do a pretty good job. 303 00:25:08.650 --> 00:25:11.530 So librarians out there, are we pretty good hagglers? 304 00:25:11.530 --> 00:25:12.570 Woo-hoo, all right! 305 00:25:12.570 --> 00:25:14.650 Just to set the record straight. 306 00:25:14.650 --> 00:25:19.590 Also, we're excited to have Chris Jowaisas coming to speak soon from the Gates Foundation 307 00:25:19.590 --> 00:25:24.250 and I have to say, the Gates Foundation, when I talk about Andrew Carnegie, and I often 308 00:25:24.250 --> 00:25:28.550 talk about Andrew Carnegie when I speak, I also characterize Bill and Melinda Gates and 309 00:25:28.550 --> 00:25:32.480 the Gates Foundation as our 21st Century Andrew Carnegie. 310 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:36.690 So libraries have been very lucky to have these wonderful public-private partnerships 311 00:25:36.690 --> 00:25:38.080 over the years. 312 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:44.700 So, I am now very pleased to introduce Thomas Power, the Chief of Staff of the Commerce 313 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:50.720 Department's National Telecommunications and Information and Administration, who is currently 314 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:56.610 on detail to the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House as Deputy Chief 315 00:25:56.610 --> 00:26:00.400 Technology Officer for Telecommunications. 316 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:07.310 Mr. Power provides managerial and policy support for a wide range of agency activities including 317 00:26:07.310 --> 00:26:13.110 internet policymaking, spectrum and Recovery Act broadband grants program and was one of 318 00:26:13.110 --> 00:26:17.750 the first individuals w ho really encouraged us to get -- to have this hearing and make 319 00:26:17.750 --> 00:26:19.010 it happen. 320 00:26:19.010 --> 00:26:21.330 So, welcome, Tom. 321 00:26:21.330 --> 00:26:22.870 (Applause) MR. 322 00:26:22.870 --> 00:26:25.970 POWER: Thank you, Susan. 323 00:26:25.970 --> 00:26:29.000 Good morning, everybody and thank you, Board. 324 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:31.970 Thank you, IMLS, for having this hearing. 325 00:26:31.970 --> 00:26:34.920 It's a real thrill to share the dais with Chairman Wheeler. 326 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:40.980 I think he's one of my favorite -- maybe my favorite policy person in DC. 327 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:42.060 He's doing such a great job. 328 00:26:42.060 --> 00:26:43.060 Well, second favorite. 329 00:26:43.060 --> 00:26:45.080 I mean I do work in the White House. 330 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:46.200 (Laughter) MR. 331 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:48.920 POEWR: You never know who's watching? 332 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:50.810 (Laughter) MR. 333 00:26:50.810 --> 00:26:57.660 POWER: So, you know, we're really trying to help here through the ConnectED program and 334 00:26:57.660 --> 00:27:02.560 the E-Rate Program and Chairman Wheeler has identified some of the ways forward. 335 00:27:02.560 --> 00:27:07.840 But we really recognize that the work, the real work happens at the local level, in the 336 00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:11.120 libraries, at IMLS and the other organizations represented here. 337 00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:14.390 So, you know, my main message this morning is just to thank you for all the work you 338 00:27:14.390 --> 00:27:15.390 do. 339 00:27:15.390 --> 00:27:17.630 For some of us, this is kind of personal. 340 00:27:17.630 --> 00:27:21.780 I can tell you that my mother, for 40 years, was an elementary school teacher and then 341 00:27:21.780 --> 00:27:23.690 the librarian at the school. 342 00:27:23.690 --> 00:27:28.030 And when she retired, the local newspaper in our little hometown came and did a little 343 00:27:28.030 --> 00:27:32.950 article about her and said -- one of the questions was "How have kids changed in 40 years?" 344 00:27:32.950 --> 00:27:34.760 And she said, "Well, you know, kids are kids. 345 00:27:34.760 --> 00:27:39.440 They don't change much but one thing that has changed is that parents seem to have lost 346 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:44.340 some focus on the idea that kids need to come to school prepared to learn. 347 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:49.390 The school is not just the island where education can happen and then when they leave the island, 348 00:27:49.390 --> 00:27:50.860 the education stops. 349 00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:54.220 The whole community has to be focused on education. 350 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.220 It's the home. 351 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:57.090 It's the school and it's the library." 352 00:27:57.090 --> 00:28:01.360 And that's why the work of the libraries is so important. 353 00:28:01.360 --> 00:28:02.750 I don't have to tell you that. 354 00:28:02.750 --> 00:28:04.940 It's a real community effort. 355 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:09.890 And we learned this through the BTOP program at NTIA where I served for a couple of years 356 00:28:09.890 --> 00:28:11.650 before moving over to the White House. 357 00:28:11.650 --> 00:28:16.260 We found that the strongest grant applications were the ones that had the whole support of 358 00:28:16.260 --> 00:28:20.740 the community, the library, the school, the business community, the mayor or the city 359 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:23.120 council, the county, the governor. 360 00:28:23.120 --> 00:28:27.250 The ones where we saw the community coming together to support the application were the 361 00:28:27.250 --> 00:28:31.980 ones we knew had the best chance of succeeding and we're really proud of the work that BTOP 362 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.980 did. 363 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:37.260 My pal Gwenn Weaver's out in the audience and if you get a chance shake her hand or 364 00:28:37.260 --> 00:28:40.660 hug her if she'll let you or high five her maybe. 365 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:45.810 She and the team over there did such a great job with the libraries in particular. 366 00:28:45.810 --> 00:28:51.030 BTOP connected over 1300 libraries to ultrafast broadband greatly increasing their bandwidth 367 00:28:51.030 --> 00:28:54.300 to meet the increasing demands of their patrons. 368 00:28:54.300 --> 00:28:59.750 BTOP has created or upgraded public computer centers in over 2000 library locations across 369 00:28:59.750 --> 00:29:02.190 the country installing thousands of new work stations. 370 00:29:02.190 --> 00:29:08.080 And I'm very pleased to announce that today, NTIA is going to be releasing three case studies 371 00:29:08.080 --> 00:29:14.360 published by an independent evaluation contractor that NTIA hired on the positive improvements 372 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:20.470 and effects that the BTOP program is having in three library systems in particular. 373 00:29:20.470 --> 00:29:25.410 As you'll see, you can go on the NTIA website today to pull this down. 374 00:29:25.410 --> 00:29:31.090 In Delaware, 420 previously unemployed people received job offers after using the new job 375 00:29:31.090 --> 00:29:35.300 centers at four public libraries managed by the Delaware Department of Libraries. 376 00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:39.370 In Michigan, new public computer center facilities are estimated to have saved users more than 377 00:29:39.370 --> 00:29:44.010 160,000 hours per year of wait time. 378 00:29:44.010 --> 00:29:49.070 And in Texas, public computer centers, including over 120 library locations, have provided 379 00:29:49.070 --> 00:29:55.610 nearly 850,000 training hours to support digital literacy enabling people to search for jobs 380 00:29:55.610 --> 00:30:00.720 and housing online, connect with their family in other countries and all the other important 381 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:03.580 uses that Chairman Wheeler referred to. 382 00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:05.650 So we'll be putting that blog up today and the case studies. 383 00:30:05.650 --> 00:30:07.090 You should take a look at that. 384 00:30:07.090 --> 00:30:11.340 We know there's more to be done and we know the needs of the libraries. 385 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:15.720 I read a statistic that 60 percent of libraries report that they are the only source of free 386 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:17.650 internet access in their communities. 387 00:30:17.650 --> 00:30:20.430 And we've all seen that image, right, "the library's closed" and the kids are on the 388 00:30:20.430 --> 00:30:24.940 steps sucking on that wifi if they can get it through the wall, right, people out in 389 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:27.610 the car with the heater going trying to connect. 390 00:30:27.610 --> 00:30:32.800 So, you know, you can look at that as glass half full, kind of discouraging because it 391 00:30:32.800 --> 00:30:35.280 means the library's aren't getting the resources they need to be open. 392 00:30:35.280 --> 00:30:38.820 But, you know, I try to be encouraged by that because we're stimulating demand. 393 00:30:38.820 --> 00:30:40.170 We've got the toehold in there. 394 00:30:40.170 --> 00:30:45.940 We've got the kids and the adults on those steps and in the cars and that's a good sign. 395 00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:50.260 And as you'll hear today, millions of Americans are using the internet at their local libraries 396 00:30:50.260 --> 00:30:54.620 to study for degrees or certificates, apply for jobs, develop new professional skills 397 00:30:54.620 --> 00:30:57.030 and participate in civic affairs. 398 00:30:57.030 --> 00:31:02.880 I think libraries are truly centers of lifelong learning and, of course, they're available 399 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:05.790 to all regardless of age and income or disability. 400 00:31:05.790 --> 00:31:09.240 As Chairman Wheeler said, for folks who don't have computers at home, they're just essential 401 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:13.690 but even for folks who do have computers at home, if you're trying to study, if you're 402 00:31:13.690 --> 00:31:17.250 trying to do certain tasks, maybe the home environment isn't always the best place to 403 00:31:17.250 --> 00:31:18.250 do it. 404 00:31:18.250 --> 00:31:24.140 We know librarians are good at keeping things on the QT and quiet and a good place for concentration 405 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:25.140 for kids. 406 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:31.010 So thanks for maintaining the civility there. 407 00:31:31.010 --> 00:31:34.860 I started by telling you about my mother, so I'm going to finish telling you about her 408 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:36.730 mother who is my grandmother. 409 00:31:36.730 --> 00:31:41.170 She was a teacher and then a head mistress and then she retired. 410 00:31:41.170 --> 00:31:43.551 And she got a little bored and she went back to teaching. 411 00:31:43.551 --> 00:31:44.640 She retired again. 412 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:52.100 She began a tutor and she gave her last tutoring lesson on her 90th birthday, decided that 413 00:31:52.100 --> 00:31:53.500 was enough. 414 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:55.810 She never took a dime for her tutoring. 415 00:31:55.810 --> 00:32:00.510 She just wanted to teach and the joy of teaching was all the compensation she wanted. 416 00:32:00.510 --> 00:32:06.150 A few weeks ago, I was visiting with a cousin of mine who remembered my grandmother and 417 00:32:06.150 --> 00:32:09.540 she said, you know, one thing I remember was people would come to your grandmother's house. 418 00:32:09.540 --> 00:32:15.791 She had books all over the place and if a child was with the visitors, the child would 419 00:32:15.791 --> 00:32:18.960 always leave with a present and the present was always a book. 420 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:22.260 And my grandmother would present it in a way that, you know, some kids, Christmastime, 421 00:32:22.260 --> 00:32:25.870 birthday, they get a book, they're not so thrilled -- my grandmother had this way of 422 00:32:25.870 --> 00:32:30.630 presenting a book to a child and the child thought they had gone to Disneyland. 423 00:32:30.630 --> 00:32:37.370 She just had this enthusiasm that just suffused everything and had a lot of books. 424 00:32:37.370 --> 00:32:41.160 They totally diminished over the years as she gave them away. 425 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:45.890 She loved sharing them especially with kids because she knew what my mom observed which 426 00:32:45.890 --> 00:32:51.550 is we need to all be in this together, education is not just in the school, it's at the home, 427 00:32:51.550 --> 00:32:53.540 it's at the library, it's the entire community. 428 00:32:53.540 --> 00:32:59.300 So Chairman Wheeler and I and those of us in Washington, all started with Chairman Hundt 429 00:32:59.300 --> 00:33:04.410 -- as Tom said, We're going to keep doing what we can do here but we are really depending 430 00:33:04.410 --> 00:33:05.490 on you. 431 00:33:05.490 --> 00:33:10.340 We know how hard you're working to make things happen at the local level. 432 00:33:10.340 --> 00:33:15.000 We're going to support you because we know it takes all of us to make this effort a success. 433 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:24.370 Thanks for having me here and have a great day. 434 00:33:24.370 --> 00:33:25.370 Thank you. 435 00:33:25.370 --> 00:33:26.370 (Applause) DIRECTOR HILDRETH: Okay. 436 00:33:26.370 --> 00:33:27.370 Well, thank you, gentlemen. 437 00:33:27.370 --> 00:33:30.560 That was a great way to start and I'll ask our Panel Number One, Chris Jowaisas and Clarence 438 00:33:30.560 --> 00:33:34.520 Anthony, to join me here on the podium. 439 00:33:34.520 --> 00:33:42.090 First of all, I'd like to say thank you very much to Chairman Wheeler and to Tom Power 440 00:33:42.090 --> 00:33:43.090 for being with us. 441 00:33:43.090 --> 00:33:44.770 That was -- we're just really honored.