[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 3, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8044-8045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02194]


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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

[Docket No. 2021-1]


Announcement of Copyright Public Modernization Committee

AGENCY: Library of Congress.

ACTION: Notice of convening of IT modernization public stakeholder 
committee.

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SUMMARY: The Library of Congress is convening a public committee to 
enhance communication and provide a public forum for the technology-
related aspects of the U.S. Copyright Office's modernization 
initiative. At this time, the Library is announcing that it will accept 
applications from qualified members of the public to serve on this 
committee. The scope of contributions made by the committee are limited 
to the specific topics set forth in this notice. Membership will be on 
a volunteer basis, with the expectation of in-person or virtual 
participation at two open forums a year at the member's own expense.

DATES: The application period will be until March 15, 2021. The first 
meeting of the committee will be in early summer 2021, and meetings 
will continue twice a year for the duration of the Copyright Office IT 
modernization efforts, currently estimated to conclude at the end of 
fiscal year 2023. Meetings may be held by web conference as 
appropriate, and schedules are subject to change due to the evolving 
coronavirus pandemic.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Library of Congress at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Library of Congress will form a public committee on Copyright 
Office information technology (IT) modernization. The committee will be 
managed by the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), with 
support from the U.S. Copyright Office and from other Library offices 
as necessary. The goal of the committee will be to expand and enhance 
communication with external stakeholders on IT modernization of 
Copyright Office systems and to provide an ongoing public forum for 
sharing information and answering questions related to this initiative.

II. Public Stakeholder Committee Subjects of Discussion

    Members of the Copyright Public Modernization Committee will 
provide feedback to the Library on the technology-related aspects of 
the Copyright Office's modernization initiative, including both 
Copyright Office IT systems and broader Library IT systems that 
interface with and/or support Copyright Office operations.

III. Public Stakeholder Committee Application Process

    Members of the public who seek to participate in the Copyright 
Public Modernization Committee should submit a current curriculum vitae 
and a statement of interest of no more than 1000 words addressing the 
questions identified below no later than March 15, 2021. Answers can be 
submitted via email at [email protected]. If you are unable to access a 
computer or the internet, please contact the Library using the contact 
information above for special instructions. Individuals selected for 
participation will be notified directly by the Library not later than 
May 15, 2021. In order to accommodate the expected level of interest, 
the Library expects to assign no more than one representative per 
organization to the committee.
    The public stakeholder committee will have a limited number of 
seats. Thus, the application and selection process is expected to be 
competitive. The Library will seek to select a membership that is 
representative of the broad and diverse Copyright Office stakeholder 
community. The areas of relevant expertise for membership include skill 
in communicating on complex technical issues; the ability to work 
collaboratively; and knowledge of technology relevant to Copyright 
Office services.

IV. Questions for Statement of Interest

    For the Statement of Interest, the applicant need not address every 
subject identified below, but the Library requests that applicants 
clearly identify and separately address each numbered subject for which 
a response is submitted. Answers will be evaluated by the Library to 
select a committee with members that represent the broadest possible 
cross-section of Copyright Office stakeholders.
    1. An important skill for members of the CPMC is the ability to 
communicate, whether orally or in writing, on complex technological 
issues, including describing their impact on the needs or interests of 
Copyright Office stakeholders. Please identify any relevant experience 
you have working and communicating on technological issues with these 
or any other relevant parties:
    (a) Individual creators and copyright owners;
    (b) Large corporate creators and companies that own or manage 
copyrights;
    (c) Small-to-medium size enterprises that own or manage copyrights;
    (d) Creators, copyright owners, or copyright users from the 
following sectors: photography, motion picture, musical works, sound 
recordings, graphic arts, publishing, software, and information 
technology;
    (e) users of Copyright Office services, including but not limited 
to individuals or entities that register their works with the Office, 
record copyright-related documents with the Office, or benefit from or 
pay into the licensing systems administered by the Copyright Office;
    (f) user interest groups, including researchers, universities, 
archives, and libraries; and
    (g) representatives of the public and public interest groups 
(including organizations involved in issues related to open government, 
public government data and APIs, and government use of technology).

[[Page 8045]]

    2. Another important skill for members of the CPMC is the ability 
to work collaboratively with others, including diverse stakeholders. 
Please describe any relevant past experience developing and maintaining 
relationships with a variety of individuals; communicating effectively 
about topics involving inter-dependencies, competing priorities, and 
diverse audiences/user groups; or reaching a consensus among diverse 
stakeholders with conflicting interests.
    3. A key skill that the Library is seeking in members of the CPMC 
is knowledge of the technology relevant to Copyright Office IT 
modernization and the Office's recent initiatives. Please describe any 
relevant experience in the following sectors: government innovation 
and/or technology, copyright law and Copyright Office services, rights 
management, and the development and use of IT systems in library, 
cultural heritage, museum, creative industry or other settings.
    4. Please describe your knowledge of user-centered strategies and 
design methods, including any experience applying iterative design 
principles to solving complex problems.
    5. If your application is endorsed by other stakeholders or 
associations, please identify them.

    Dated: January 28, 2021.
Carla D. Hayden,
Librarian of Congress.
[FR Doc. 2021-02194 Filed 2-2-21; 8:45 am]
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