[OPLINLIST] Call NOW to protect library funding!

[Marsha McDevitt-Stredney]

Please excuse multiple postings...

 

From: Kristin K. Murphy
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 5:03 PM
To: fllan at ala.org; 'nlld at ala.org'; 'alacol2 at ala.org'
Subject: Call NOW to protect library funding!

 

Dear advocates, 

 

It's appropriations time, and there are two main issues we need to
action on.  The deadline is March 12, so please act fast!  We only have
48 hours to make a difference.

 

LSTA

Congress is currently busy drafting up the federal budget for fiscal
year 2011.  It has never been more important than now that Congress
fully funds the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the only
annual source for federal funding to public libraries.   As Congress
writes next year's budget they need to understand that dollars from the
state and local levels are at an all time low and libraries can not
continue to do their important work with out this funding.

There is a letter circulating around the House of Representatives urging
the Appropriations Committee to include $300 million in funding through
LSTA in the FY2011 budget.  Please contact your representative's office
and tell them about work your library does in the community.  It is
always a good idea to stress what programs and resources your library
provide to help build the local economy, help kids with their homework,
and so much more.  After you have explained how libraries are an
incredibly valuable investment, please ask your representative to sign
onto the "Dear Colleague" letter supporting LSTA. 

School Libraries


In his FY2011 budget, President Obama consolidated Improving Literacy
Through School Libraries with five other literacy programs.  This would
mean that school libraries will have to directly compete with other
programs to receive federal dollars under the President's plan.
However, Congress is busy drafting up their own budget for FY2011 right
now, and there is no word yet if they will go along with President
Obama's recommendation of consolidation.  Congress needs to hear from
their constituents NOW about the important role that school libraries
play in today's schools.

Right now there is a letter circulating around the House of
Representatives urging the Appropriations Committee to specifically
appropriate $100 million for Improving Literacy Through School
Libraries.  This amount means that this program will be available to
every state, rather than the current competitive grant program.  Please
contact your representative's office explaining to them how important
having a school library can be in a child's education.  Please ask them
to sign on to the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries "Dear
Colleague."

Once your representative or their staff confirms that they would like to
sign on to the funding "Dear Colleagues," please ask them to contact the
staffers below depending on their party affiliation:

Democrat
    
Ask them to contact Joseph Mais in Rep. Grijalva's office and ask them
to sign onto the Dear Colleague.  His email address
isjoseph.mais at mail.house.gov and his phone number is (202) 225-2435.


Republican
    
Ask them to contact Rachel Fenton in Rep. Vernon Ehlers' office and sign
onto the Dear Colleague.  Her e-mail address
isRachel.Fenton at mail.house.gov and her phone number is (202) 225-3831. 

It is of the utmost importance that you contact your Representative
today and urge them to sign on to these letters!  We need to keep the
pressure on our elected officials until the deadline for signatures on
these critical letters expires.  Grijalva and Ehlers plan to send the
letter on Friday, March 12, so time is of the essence.

 

 

Kristin Murphy

Government Relations Specialist

American Library Association - Washington Office

1615 New Hampshire Ave. NW, First Floor

Washington, D.C., 20009-2520

Phone Number: 202.628.8410

kmurphy at alawash.org

 

Questions about the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act?  Go to 
www.ala.org/knowyourstimulus

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsha McDevitt-Stredney

Marketing & Communications Director

274 E. 1st Avenue

Columbus, OH 43201

Tel: 614-644-6875

Fax: 614-466-3584

www.library.ohio.gov <http://www.library.ohio.gov/> 

 

  <http://www.facebook.com/people/StateLibraryof-Ohio/100000063363765>


  <http://twitter.com/statelibohio> 

 

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