would be increasingly likely to play out where such traffic competes with the network operator’s own content and services—such as voice and video services offered over broadband Internet access. The danger of discrimination is compounded when network operators engage in such behavior without transparently informing their costumers. Without both non-discrimination and transparency requirements, libraries and their patrons might not even know of the myriad content and services that they are unable to access. 3. Research Libraries Provide Content and Services that Require Quick and Dependable Transmission to End Users In addition to their role as consumers of Internet resources, research libraries are also prolific providers of content, services, and applications to the general public. Research libraries create and maintain digital data collections, which according to the National Science Foundation, “are at the heart [of] fundamentally new approaches to research and education.”13 Additionally, research libraries have developed mobile applications that allow wireless device users to obtain access to library websites and their digital collections from a mobile wireless platform. Finally, research libraries dedicate significant time, money, and staff to provide access to electronic resources, which they then make available to students, researchers, faculty, and oftentimes the public. However, the effort spent in creating a digital library environment is worthwhile only to the extent that patrons can access such resources for useful purposes. Many off-campus users depend on a reliable and unfettered cable or DSL Internet connection to access digital library collections. If providers prioritize traffic based on which entities are willing to pay the most to deliver content over the public Internet, research libraries and universities could be harmed because they do not have the resources to compete with other commercial entities. Such a system would not only harm libraries from an economic and practical standpoint but would compromise research activities and academic endeavors. Conclusion: Net Neutrality as a Means to a Library’s End Goal The maintenance of a neutral network on the public Internet is critical to research libraries because it will ensure an environment in which libraries, RLI 273 15 The Importance of Net Neutrality to Research Libraries in the Digital Age ( C O N T I N U E D ) DECEMBER 2010 RESEARCH LIBRARY ISSUES: A BIMONTHLY REPORT FROM ARL, CNI, AND SPARC