ALA applauds Robert Bocher appointment to E-rate program oversight body

Washington, D.C. – The American Library Association (ALA) applauded Robert (Bob) Bocher’s appointment by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fill the previously expired library seat on the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the administrator of the E-rate program. Previously, the ALA endorsed Mr. Bocher in response to the FCC’s public notice seeking board nominations in July 2015.

“ALA is pleased that Bob will continue to lend his voice and expertise on behalf of libraries during his tenure on the USAC Board,” Alan S. Inouye, director of ALA’s Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP), said. “Bob is highly respected across the library community on E-rate and related telecommunications and broadband issues. His membership on the USAC Board comes at a significant moment for libraries as USAC enters the second year implementing major changes in the E-rate program.”

“Bob’s diverse experience will make him a valuable contributor to the management and oversight of the E-rate program as well as the Universal Service Fund (USF) in general,” Kathi Peiffer, ALA E-rate Task Force chair and state librarian of New Mexico, noted. “We are delighted to again have a library representative on the Board of this critical organization. Libraries are fortunate to have him speak on their behalf.”

Bocher will serve the remainder of the term of long-serving library representative, Anne Campbell, whose service to U.S. libraries ALA appreciates, Inouye said. USAC administers the E-rate program in addition to the other programs that are part of the over $8 billion USF on behalf of the FCC.

“I look forward to serving on the USAC board and advocating on behalf of libraries as all parties continue to implement the major E-rate reforms,” Bocher said. “Considering all the changes in the program we need to ensure that libraries can take advantage of these changes to maximize their E-rate funding.”

Bocher brings a wealth of experience to the USAC Board and a long history of advocating for library technology and broadband capacity issues. He began his work with the E-rate program during its inception for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as its state-wide E-rate support manager. During that time he also was an original member of ALA’s E-rate Task Force, a position he retains. Bocher continues to serve the library community as an OITP Fellow.

Bocher’s term will begin November 1, 2015.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 55,000 members in academic, public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

Related Links

FCC announces appointment of Bob Bocher to Universal Service Administrative Company's Board of Directors (PDF)

ALA nomination of Robert Bocher to Universal Service Administrative Company's Board of Directors