<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Oregon legislature recently voted to approve HB 4092A
and establish the Connecting Oregon Libraries Fund! (<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.olaweb.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=199*CurrentIssuesBriefs__;Iw!!JsVmmI8-!IYIwmdzg-VeBOL9XiTU8M07WA97waKAsaa7MHPRi_vXXRwuu5Zw_JZ2c-HOlD9a7XoCB7mwzVZSPAftrUjttDg$" target="_blank" style="color:blue">Learn more about the bill and what it does here.</a>)</p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The bill maximizes broadband funding for libraries from the
FCC's E-Rate program and establishes an Oregon E-Rate fund to provide
additional funding to help libraries move forward on critically needed
broadband infrastructure projects. Establishing a state E-Rate fund in Oregon
is also the first step to securing up to 10% in extra Federal funds for
projects that meet certain criteria.</p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/cqrcengage.com/alaor/app/take-action?engagementId=513935__;!!JsVmmI8-!IYIwmdzg-VeBOL9XiTU8M07WA97waKAsaa7MHPRi_vXXRwuu5Zw_JZ2c-HOlD9a7XoCB7mwzVZSPAfudIvD_0Q$" target="_blank" style="color:blue">Write a letter to your legislators thanking them for their work
on behalf of Oregon libraries.</a></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">At the link above, enter your contact information so that
your message is addressed to the legislators that represent you in the Oregon
House and Senate. If your legislators voted "yes" to support HB 4092A
you will see the thank you letter. If your legislators voted "no" on
the bill, you will see a letter encouraging them to contact OLA's lobbyist,
Tess Milio, to learn more about supporting their district's libraries in the
future.</p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Thank you for advocating for Oregon libraries!</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Kim Olson-Charles & Jeremy Skinner - Co-Chairs LDLC Committee</p><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div>******</div><div>Kim Olson-Charles<br>Library Development & Legislative Committee, Co-Chair 2021-2022<br>Oregon Library Association<a href="mailto:ldlcchair@olaweb.org" target="_blank"><br>ldlcchair@olaweb.org</a><br>503-206-3202 (w)<br>Pronouns: she/her<br></div><div><br></div>Jeremy Skinner<br>Library Development & Legislative Committee, Co-Chair 2021-2022<br>Oregon Library Association<a href="mailto:ldlcchair@olaweb.org" target="_blank"><br>ldlcchair@olaweb.org</a><br>541-247-3452 (w)<br>Pronouns: he/him<br></div></div></div></div>