Continued Support for Libraries

"If the government can bail out the banks that are so deeply implicated in our current troubles-and is about to give them another huge helping of cash...why can't it support libraries and schools and publishing by stocking the public bookshelves with inviting new books and hiring staff to keep the doors open?" This quote from columnist Katha Pollitt referring to stimulus funding in the January 22, 2009 copy of The Nation.

With all of this money going to rebuild our infrastructure, shouldn't our institutions of education benefit? There is a bill currently in legislation that has yet to receive the support of our senators. If you could take 10 minutes out of your day and call them to sign the "Dear Colleagues" letter being ciruclated by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) in support of funding for Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program.

Both of our senators are new this year and may have yet to hear how important it is to support our libraries and schools through continued LSTA funding. ASC Nielsen Library has received two LSTA grants in order to purchase 20 laptops for our students, staff, and faculty to check out as well as take them into our community and teach basic computer classes. We know first hand how beneficial this legislation is to both our campus community and neighboring communities.

Please contact our senators and ask them to sign the Reed/Snowe "Dear Colleagues" letter for libraries.

Mark Udall: 202-224-5941 || Michael Bennett: 202-244-5852

For more information about the letter, and for an e-mail option to voice your , please visit:

http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=13189976&PROCESS=Take+Action

What do boxing cats, Google, & Library of Congress have in common?

They can all be found on NPR's new blog. Learn about Google and how they scan millions of library books. Find out how the online photo sharing service Flickr has now influenced YouTube to partner with the Library of Congress to post not only rare photos, but now videos. Yes, you guess it...of cats boxing.

Take a look at the wealth of information available on National Public Radio's Library blog. It can be accessed at www.npr.org/blogs/library

Blog entitled "...as a matter of fact" reports on topics ranging from Google's book scanning patent to recent news about the Swine Flu or what is now being referred to as H1N1 virus.

Enjoy

Mobile Lab presented at LOEX in Albuquerque

Librarians Nancy Trimm and Paul Mascarenas recently presented a poster session at LOEX Conference, Blazing Trails: On the Path to Information Literacy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The session, Librarians Without Borders: Techie Spaces, highlights programs developed by Public Services-Instruction Librarian Brooke Andrade; Public Services-Reference Librarian Paul Mascarenas & Reference & Instruction Librarian from Mesa County Public Library Nancy Trimm.

In the session, librarians Trimm & Mascarenas discussed their respective community outreach programs wherein they take laptops to neighboring communities and teach basic computer classes. The response was overwhelmingly positive from local librarians hosting classes in their communities. The response from today's LOEX poster session was well received. Trimm & Mascarenas were able to share this unique project with librarians from across the states. Former Nielsen Library Reference Librarian Phil Jones stopped by to say 'Hi' and learn about Mobile Laptops. Also stopped by for a visit was Fort Lewis College Reed Library Director Ben Wakashige.

For more information about this project visit www.techtraining.weebly.com