[Libs-Or] [Fwd: [alacro-l] LSTA/Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Language]

[Suzanne Sager]

FYI,

Suzanne L. Sager
Oregon ALA Chapter Councilor

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[alacro-l] LSTA/Improving Literacy Through School Libraries 
Language
Date: 	Thu, 4 Mar 2010 18:19:40 -0500
From: 	Emily Sheketoff <esheketoff at alawash.org>
To: 	<alacro-l at ala.org>



Chapter leaders, please forward this as broadly as possible

This week and next begins a time for critical advocacy to support 
libraries.  We need as many members of Congress as possible to sign onto 
these letters for the following two programs -- remember, every other 
group is doing the same thing we are.  If we don't advocate for 
libraries and library funding, the money that should be allocated to us 
could go to other groups who are calling in louder and higher numbers.  
Please call your members of Congress on the following two issues:

*_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 go to http://www.capwiz.com/ala/home/ 
to find out the name and number of your Representative and call his or 
her 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 
go to http://www.capwiz.com/ala/home/ to find out the name and number of 
your Representative and call his or her 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 is 
joseph.mais at mail.house.gov <mailto:joseph.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 is 
Rachel.Fenton at mail.house.gov <mailto:Rachel.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.

 

 

 


-- 
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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