[Libs-Or] [Fwd: [alacro-l] We did it!]

[Suzanne Sager]

FYI

Suzanne L. Sager

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[alacro-l] We did it!
Date: 	Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:45:07 -0500
From: 	Kristin K. Murphy <kmurphy at alawash.org>
To: 	<fllan at ala.org>, <nlld at ala.org>, <alacro-l at ala.org>, 
<alacro-l at ala.org>, <legnet at ala.org>, <aladnow at ala.org>
CC: 	Marci Merola <mmerola at ala.org>



Good work, everybody! Because of ALA’s unprecedented grassroots efforts 
this week on amendment #35 to H.R. 1 (the Continuing Resolution to the 
FY2011 budget) was defeated! This victory for libraries is undoubtedly 
due to the strong grassroots efforts of librarians and library 
supporters all across the country.


As you recall, late Monday evening U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) 
introduced an amendment that would eliminate all funding for the 
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) including funding for 
the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the primary source of 
federal dollars to libraries.

Today, as the U.S. House of Representatives wraps up floor debate on HR 
1, Rep. Garrett has made it clear to us that he is no longer “pushing” 
for a vote on his amendment. Once the House passes H.R. 1, - likely 
today or tomorrow - the budget will be sent over to the Senate where 
they will have the opportunity to make amendments and vote on this 
year’s budget bill.


Even though we overcame this amendment, our work is not done. H.R. 1 
still has to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President. 
Please tell your friends, library users and advocates that their voices 
will be needed on library issues in the weeks and months to come.


Also, libraries face cuts in President Obama’s FY2012 budget request 
sent to Congress on February 14. In his request, President Obama cuts 
funding to LSTA by $20 million as well as consolidates Improving 
Literacy Through School Libraries with other literacy programs in the 
Department of Education. ALA needs you to continue your calls to 
Congress in our fight to protect library funding in FY’12.


This is only the beginning; libraries will continue to be threatened in 
the next Congress. Now, more than ever, we need your participation on 
May 9-10, 2011 at ALA’s National Library Legislative Day in Washington 
D.C. where you will have the opportunity to meet with your members of 
Congress and explain to them why cutting library funding would be 
short-sighted. To register for NLLD, please go to www.ala.org/nlld 
<http://www.ala.org/nlld>.

Kristin Murphy

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>

Take action for libraries! Visit our Legislative Action Center at 
http://bit.ly/legaction


-- 
Portland State University logo

Suzanne L. Sager
Library East, Cataloging
Portland State University

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