[Libs-Or] [Fwd: [alacro-l] Federal Funding for Libraries: A Message from Roberta Stevens]

[Suzanne Sager]

FYI,

Suzanne L. Sager

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[alacro-l] Federal Funding for Libraries: A Message from 
Roberta Stevens
Date: 	Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:31:55 -0500
From: 	Emily Sheketoff <esheketoff at alawash.org>
To: 	<alacro-l at ala.org>



Dear ALA Members,

 

I am writing to you today to enlist your participation in an 
association-wide advocacy campaign to protect funding for the Library 
Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Improving Literacy Through 
School Libraries program.

 

Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Continuing 
Resolution (CR), H.R. 1, funding the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. The 
House version zeroed out the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries 
program.  Action now moves to the Senate, which is drafting its own 
version of the CR. This is the time to reach out to your U.S. senators 
by phone or email – and, importantly, to urge others in your communities 
to do so as well.

 

The request to your senators is straightforward.  In the Continuing 
Resolution for 2011:

 

1.       Maintain the 2010 funding level of $213.5 million for the 
Library Services and Technology Act. 

 

2.       Maintain the 2010 funding level of $19.1 million for the 
Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program.

 

Beyond these basic requests, I urge you to share with your senators how 
you are using this federal funding and how the constituents of your 
state benefit educationally and economically from library services 
during these challenging times. Provide examples of how you assist the 
public with online job searching, preparing resumes, small business 
development, accessing online information and training, etc.

 

Inform your senators about the role school libraries play in ensuring 
students graduate with the skills they need to be successful in today’s 
workforce. The Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program 
increases the literacy skills and academic achievement of students by 
providing them with access to up-to-date school library materials; 
well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers; 
and well-trained, professionally certified school librarians.

 

This is only the latest part of our ongoing need for grassroots advocacy 
on federal appropriations and other library issues. The federal 
government’s 2012 budget will be the next focus of Congress. Your 
messages to the senators requesting 2011 support for the Library 
Services and Technology Act and the Improving Literacy Through School 
Libraries program will also influence their deliberations for the 2012 
funding levels.

 

Your advocacy is vital to ensuring that our libraries remain a 
fundamental force in America’s economic and educational future. As an 
association – and as a profession – we must work together to have a 
strong voice.

 

The ALA Legislative Action Center (http://capwiz.com/ala) can assist you 
with contacting your senators. If you need further help, call Jeff Kratz 
or Kristin Murphy with the ALA Office for Government Relations at 
1-800-941-8478.

 

Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

Roberta Stevens
ALA President


-- 
Portland State University logo

Suzanne L. Sager
Library East, Cataloging
Portland State University

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