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<TITLE>Federal $$$ for Libraries: Please Call Your Representative's Office Before March 12th</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>Dear Colleagues: <BR>
I want to emphasize the importance of the message sent to this list yesterday by Diedre Conkling of the OLA Legislation and Library Development Committee. <BR>
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We need EVERY Oregon representative to sign on to the “Dear Colleague” letter for LSTA funding and school library funding. Here are the numbers to call. If you’ve never called your Representative’s office before, you’ll find that it is easier than you think. They are glad you hear from you. You’re a constituent (be sure to say this). You only have one call to make. Do it today! <BR>
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1st District, Rep. David Wu, 202-225-0855<BR>
2nd District, Rep. Greg Walden, 202-225-6730<BR>
3rd District, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, 202-225-4811<BR>
4th District, Rep. Peter DeFazio, 202-225-6416<BR>
5th District, Rep. Kurt Schrader, 202-225-5711<BR>
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LSTA<BR>
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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 flat and libraries can not continue to do their important work with out this funding.<BR>
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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 call your Representative’s office and tell them what LSTA does for your library (databases, L-net, demonstration grants, etc.). It is always a good idea to stress what programs and resources your library provides to help build the local economy, help kids and students, 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. <BR>
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School Libraries<BR>
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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.<BR>
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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 call your Representative’s office and explain 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." <BR>
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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:<BR>
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Democrat<BR>
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Ask them to contact Joseph Mais in Rep. Grijalva's office and ask them to sign onto the Dear Colleague. His email address is joseph.mais@mail.house.gov and his phone number is (202) 225-2435.<BR>
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Republican<BR>
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Ask them to contact Rachel Fenton in Rep. Vernon Ehlers' office and sign onto the Dear Colleague. Her e-mail address is Rachel.Fenton@mail.house.gov and her phone number is (202) 225-3831. <BR>
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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.<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'><FONT FACE="Optima, Times New Roman">Jim Scheppke, State Librarian<BR>
Oregon State Library<BR>
250 Winter St. NE<BR>
Salem, OR 97301<BR>
503-378-4367<BR>
(fax) 503-585-8059<BR>
jim.b.scheppke@state.or.us<BR>
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<IMG src="cid:3350623252_229591" ><FONT COLOR="#008000">Go Green, Keep it on screen - think before you print.<BR>
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