[Libs-Or] [Fwd: [alacro-l] Federal Legislation Critical to Future of Libraries]

[Suzanne Sager]

FYI,

Suzanne L. Sager

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[alacro-l] Federal Legislation Critical to Future of Libraries
Date: 	Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:44:15 -0500
From: 	Don Wood <dwood at ala.org>
To: 	<alacro-l at ala.org>



    ADVOCACY URGENTLY NEEDED: House considering two amendments critical
    to the future of libraries
    <http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=5661>

This week, the House of Representatives will consider two amendments to 
the FY2011 Continuing Resolution that are critical to libraries – one 
that would eliminate all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 
funding including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding and 
another that would halt all funding for Foreign Intelligence 
Surveillance Act (FISA) orders seeking libraries and bookstore records 
of U.S. citizens.

*E-mail via Capwiz 
<http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=28204516&PROCESS=Take+Action>or 
call your representative at (202) 224-3121 today and tell him or her to 
oppose Amendment #35 to the Continuing Resolution!*

Amendment #35, submitted by U.S. Rep. Scott Garret (R-NJ), seeks to zero 
out the Institute of Museum and Library Services, eliminating all 
federal funding specifically for libraries.

*Message to Your Representative:*

    * Libraries are essential to every community, and federal funding is
      critical for ensuring library resources and services remain
      available to their constituents.
    * LSTA supports all kinds of libraries including school, academic,
      and public libraries.
    * Public libraries are the primary source of no-fee access to the
      Internet and are active in assisting the public with online job
      searches, e-government services, and lifelong learning.

*E-mail via Capwiz 
<http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=28204516&PROCESS=Take+Action>or* 
*call your representative at (202) 224-3121 today and tell him or her to 
support Conyers’ amendment to the Continuing Resolution! *

This amendment, sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), would halt 
all funding for FISA orders seeking libraries and bookstore records of 
U.S. citizens. Currently, this vote is scheduled for this Thursday, 
February 17.

*Message to Your Representative:*

    * Vote YES on the Conyers amendment to the FY2011 Continuing
      Resolution to halt funding for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
      Act (FISA) orders that would seek library and bookstore records of
      U.S. citizens;
    * The Conyers amendment seeks to protect individual privacy and
      personal reading records from inappropriate access by law enforcement;
    * Like previous reader privacy bills, this amendment has bipartisan
      support;
    * Law enforcement access to the reading habits of individuals should
      be held to a higher legal standard in order to protect civil
      liberties and the right to read and access information.

In the weeks to come, extending your advocacy efforts to your senators 
as well as continuing to reach out to your representatives will be 
vitally important to protecting the future of libraries. Questions as 
well as reports and feedback from your calls and e-mails are welcomed. 
Please contact Kristin Murphy <mailto://kmurphy@alawash.org>or Lynne 
Bradley <mailto://lbradley@alawash.org> at the ALA Office of Government 
Relations, Washington Office.

Jenni Terry

Press Officer

American Library Association

Washington Office

Office: 202.628.8410
Cell: 703-380-2764

www.ala.org/alawash <http://www.ala.org/alawash>

_www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/_


-- 
Portland State University logo

Suzanne L. Sager
Library East, Cataloging
Portland State University

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