How Net Neutrality Bans Could Affect your Library

Those of us who curl up with our fluffy pets and fluffier husbands and watch the evening news (or in my case the Colbert Report)

are aware of this not-so-new concept of Net Neutrality and how it is making headlines. Like the 90% of viewers out there, my first thoughts were not egregious outrage, nor was it clapping approval; no, my first thoughts were..."what is net neutrality?" "uh-oh, should I know this?"


Well, for those of you who don't know what net neutrality is nor why it is in the news, take heart and do not fear for the ALA already has a stance on to tell you how you think! Now, I will ever so lightly explain to you librarians, teachers, and other information enthusiasts what net neutrality is and how it can affect libraries and information presentation. While I will not go on a terrible rant about my personal stance on the matter, it will be pretty obvious how I stand on the net neutrality thingy.

What is Net Neutrality Anyway?????

Net Neutrality (NN) is basically non-discrimination on the online world. "But New Pagemaster, the online world is full of discrimination!" Yes, yes it is. However, in this instance, we are talking more about who can get on what websites and how fast. 

"It is the principle that consumers/citizens should be free to get access to - or to provide - the Internet content and services they wish, and that consumer access should not be regulated based on the nature or source of that content or service. Information providers - which may be websites, online services, etc., and who may be affiliated with traditional commercial enterprises but who also may be individual citizens, libraries, schools, or nonprofit entities - should have essentially the same quality of access to distribute their offerings." -ALA website 

Without NN, the people of whom you pay big bucks in order to get online can charge more big bucks for certain websites. Heck, they can even ban websites from their services if those websites do not comply with money, do not advertise for them, or if they just don't like their face. These big companies will be allowed to give faster service and more bits to those who can pay more.

Affects on Education and Academic Libraries

If NN is banned by the FCC, that gap between the "nice" public school in town and the "not-so-nice on" will grow an amazing amount. This is because of the already stupid law that is in place that basses school funding on the kids test scores.

So, let us brainstorm a bit:  
low test scores = less money, less money + better education websites costing more = less education websites, less education websites = low test scores. 

You get where I am going with this. Those schools that are already having a hard time will have an even harder time getting funding, widening the gap between the educational rich and poor. 

Why would education websites cost more?

Well, this is because these good education websites already provide so much free or low-cost stuff that they cannot pay your bill anymore. What the end of NN will see more of is the rise of already big businesses, just online. Do you like Mickey Mouse? 'Cause you will see a whole lot of him soon. Entertainment websites that already make bank can cozy up with the internet providers. Friends like Friends with money. The Entertainment world has money. 

Affects on Public Libraries

Public libraries could face higher service charges for newly premium online information and services. In a time of tiny budgets, paying more for more internet access would require tradeoffs such as fewer books, staff, and open hours. Hopefully, the public libraries will still be able to offer community services to the lower income (heck even higher income) public. Have you ever looked and seen what your public library can do for you? Look it up, you will be surprised what all your missing.

In Conclusion...

The blog post above is just a taste of the massive complexity that is Net Neutrality and its effects. Some say there are some upsides to it as well. Feel free to look them up, I haven't the time to rummage through the internet garbage. Below are some good links for further understanding if you want to know more. Otherwise, I hope I did explain a bit about what is going on so you can at least sound like you know at your next staff meeting.



https://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/perj/article/view/1133/1709#.U3uiDHa2xI0

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/telecom/netneutrality

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/01/15/11-questions-you-were-too-afraid-to-ask-about-net-neutrality/

http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/nnj3ic/end-of-net-neutrality