<html><body><span style="font-family:Verdana; color:#000; font-size:10pt;"><div>I filed a statement with the FCC. It was easy. You can do this too! Attached is my confirmation with the statement I made. Here is a link to the American Libraries article about how to do this: <a href="https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/help-save-internet-fairness-net-neutrality/" mce_href="https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/help-save-internet-fairness-net-neutrality/" title="https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/help-save-internet-fairness-net-neutrality/" target="_blank">https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/help-save-internet-fairness-net-neutrality/</a><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><span style="color: #008080;">~Sheryl</span></em></span></span></strong></div><div>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div>Sheryl L. Mase, Director</div><div>Mid-Michigan Library League<br>201 N. Mitchell, Suite 302, Cadillac MI 49601<br>phone: 231-775-3037 email: <a href="mailto:smase@mmll.org">smase@mmll.org</a></div><div><a title="http://mmll.org" href="http://mmll.org" target="_blank">http://mmll.org </a>~ visit us on <a title="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/4mmll" target="_blank">facebook</a><br mce_bogus="1"></div><div> </div><div> -------- Original Message --------</div><blockquote id="replyBlockquote" webmail="1" style="border-left: 2px solid blue; margin-left: 8px; padding-left: 8px; font-size:10pt; color:black; font-family:verdana;"><div id="wmQuoteWrapper">
Subject: FCC ECFS Filing Confirmation<br>
From: <a href="mailto:no-reply@fcc.gov">no-reply@fcc.gov</a><br>
Date: Tue, June 13, 2017 2:20 pm<br>
To: <a href="mailto:smase@mmll.org">smase@mmll.org</a><br>
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Thank you for your submission to the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).<br>
Please Note that your filing will not be available for searching until it has been reviewed and posted by the FCC.<br>
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Confirmation Number: 20170613203719966<br>
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Proceeding(s): 17-108 : Restoring Internet Freedom<br>
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Filer(s): Sheryl L. Mase<br>
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Brief Comments: Net neutrality matters to anyone who believes that all citizens have a right to access information, especially that which is “born digital.” Public libraries are the great equalizers, providing public access to the Internet for those who may not be able to access on their own because of availability of broadband service, or because of lack of resources to pay for a device and the Internet service itself. In addition, since the Internet is now the preferred venue for information of all types, and equity is fundamental to our democratic society, it follows that all access should be promoted equally, so that no entity’s information is more important or accessed more readily than others. Yes, we need to vet the information, making sure of the references and accuracy, but that is not a job for those motivated by the need to profit from this access.<br>
In our democracy, it is critical that the public be able to access government information. We have government document repositories for the public to access, and in order for these library supported repositories to continue to serve their purpose, it is critical that Internet access not be determined by the commercial markets. There is no hard copy any more of many government publications, and online access is a necessity. While the current administration is attempting to cut federal funding for libraries with the entire agency serving libraries and museums at the federal level, libraries across the nation still strive to do the right thing and provide access to information to all Americans, not just those who can afford to “buy” it.<br>
Taxpayer funded public libraries across the nation purchase subscriptions to electronic databases, ebooks, downloadable audiobooks, educational videos, and more. If this content is not accessible in the “fast lane” provided for the vendors’ “preferred” data, we have done a great disservice to the public who trust that their tax dollars are providing them this access. Public Wi-Fi offered to the public is also at risk of being controlled, as are local projects including public television, small business efforts, and videoconferencing.<br>
The current net neutrality rules promote free speech and intellectual expression. Please continue to ensure that a tiered version of the internet is not created in which libraries and other noncommercial enterprises are limited to the internet’s “slow lanes” while high-definition movies can obtain preferential treatment. The net neutrality rules that were thoughtfully approved should be allowed to stay in place. No preferential treatment should be given to profit motivated Internet vendors.<br>
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Address: 201 N. Mitchell Street Suite 302, Cadillac, MI 49601<br>
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