Register of Copyrights' Policy Advisory Role 'Intact,' Hayden Says
The register of copyrights' role advising Congress on copyright policy matters remains “intact,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden told the House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee Thursday. The hearing was on the Library of Congress' FY 2018 budget request of $738 million, an increase of almost 8 percent above its FY 2017 budget. Hayden largely avoided wading into CO matters but emphasized LOC prioritization of modernizing the office's IT systems as part of an overall tech revamp.
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Subcommittee members didn't mention the debate over the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act, though subcommittee Chairman Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., referred to overall discussions on CO modernization. HR/1695/S-1010 that would make the register a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed position with a 10-year term (see 1703230068). The House passed HR-1695 last month 378-48, while the Senate Judiciary and Rules committees are grappling over jurisdiction over S-1010 (see 1704260062, 1705020057 and 1705030060).
Hayden's comments about the register's copyright policy role came in response to a question from Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., about language in the FY 2017 omnibus federal spending bill that required the librarian to defer to the register on copyright matters. Hayden praised acting Register Karyn Temple Claggett for leadership of the CO over the almost seven months since former Register Maria Pallante's ouster (see 1610210061, 1610240052 and 1610250062), noting Claggett “worked collaboratively” with LOC Chief Information Officer Bud Barton to ensure strengthening of the office's IT modernization efforts. Hayden said she ensured Claggett and future registers are active participants on the LOC's technology committee, and the register will communicate CO mission-specific IT needs to the library.
The LOC has made significant progress in meeting recommendations included in a critical 2015 GAO report that said the library should undertake a significant IT overhaul (see 1503310046), Hayden and Barton separately said. The LOC formally met five of GAO's 31 recommendations and is making significant progress in completing up to 40 percent of the remaining goals, Hayden said. The report has been an important “blueprint” for the LOC to follow as it charted its IT modernization plans, Hayden said. CO's IT modernization work “will focus on its mission systems and seeks support requirements analysis for the next generation registration system as well as resources for maintaining the stability” of the office's legacy systems, Hayden said.