Representatives Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Doris Matsui and Anna Eshoo, both of California, sent a letter to the FCC on Friday, saying it's "critically important" that schools, colleges and libraries are protected by net neutrality rules.

Their letter comes after the American Library Association, the Association of Research Libraries and Educause that net neutrality rules proposed by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski would apply to providers of residential broadband services and not to so-called community anchor institutions.

"Leaving these critical institutions out of the proposal will create a gaping hole in the FCC's net neutrality safeguards," . "Many community anchor institutions purchase standard access to the public Internet from broadband Internet service providers and simply cannot and do not negotiate their own terms or conditions unlike large corporations ..."

In many communities, libraries are the only place for residents to get free Internet access, the letter added.

The FCC is scheduled to vote on Genachowski's proposal on Tuesday. Matsui, Eshoo and Markey said they applaud the FCC's decision to move forward with net neutrality rules.