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Lesson Plans


Access: Schools, Libraries . .. and the arts? From NINCH

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Beth Kanter (kanter)
Thu, 24 Oct 1996 13:06:03 -0400

Hey folks, just got another email message from my former colleague at New
York Foundation David Green who is now the Executive Director
for NATIONAL INITIATIVE FOR A NETWORKED CULTURAL HERITAGE. He just sent me
a copy of the newsletter. You can read on the Web or subscribe to via list
serv. (www-ninch.cni.org/news/news.html). The publication's mission is: A
news and information digest for those working to preserve and
provide access to cultural heritage resources through networked digital
technology.

I'm attaching a summary from the most recent issue that will give you a
flavor for the content . . .

ACCESS: SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES....AND THE ARTS?
-------------------------------------------

Summary

1. THE FCC AND UNIVERSAL SERVICE
The Telecommunications Act's Universal Service provision mandates
discounted rates for telecommunications services to schools and
libraries. What services will be included and how discounts will be
implemented will be ruled on by the Federal Communications
Commission next May. Recommendations, based on public
comments, will be made to the FCC by a Joint Board on November
7, after which further comments will be elicited. Many support a
two-tiered E-Rate proposal, including free basic telecommunications
services, but industry is generally opposed to this suggestion.

2. INFORMATION RENAISSANCE: A GRASSROOTS APPROACH
One nonprofit organization organized an on-line seminar to
educate teachers and librarians about the Universal Service
provision to encourage broader participation in the FCC's process of
soliciting comments. Future seminars are planned.

3. NET DAY: A SUPPLEMENTAL LEVERAGED APPROACH
If industry is broadly opposed to the free provision of
telecommunications services to schools and libraries, many
businesses have contributed equipment and the time of employees
to NetDay, a national attempt to wire all the schools in the country
for Internet access.

4. OPEN STUDIO: A SMALL BEGINNING FOR ARTS ACCESS
The National Endowment for the Arts, in collaboration with the
Benton Foundation, has announced a $1 million annual program
to provide access sites and training to artists and arts groups in
every state of the nation.

Beth Kanter Arts Wire Network Coordinator kanter

<http://www.artswire.org/Artswire/spiderschool/spider.htm>