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