[Libs-Or] [Fwd: [alacro-l] March 12 Deadline: LSTA and School Libraries]

[Suzanne Sager]

FYI,

Suzanne L. Sager
Oregon ALA Chapter Councilor

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[alacro-l] March 12 Deadline: LSTA and School Libraries
Date: 	Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:03:40 -0500
From: 	Don Wood <dwood at ala.org>
To: 	<alacro-l at ala.org>



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.

 

 

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 <mailto:kmurphy at alawash.org>

 

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

 


-- 
Portland State University logo

Suzanne L. Sager
Library East, Cataloging
Portland State University

503-725-8169
503-725-5799
sagers at pdx.edu

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