Library supporters are urged to call both of your Senators and ask them
to sign onto the letter from Senators Reed and Collins, asking for
increased funding for library programs (text of letter follows). In the
letter, Senators Reed and Collins ask the ranking members of the Labor,
HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee for an increase in LSTA
funding and $100 million for the Improving Literacy Through School
Libraries grant program.
It is very important that a large number of Senators sign on to the
Reed/Collins letter. Your Senator must notify Sen. Reed's office by
Monday morning, March 31 that he or she will sign on to this important
letter. Time is of the essence, as the appropriations subcommittee will
meet April 1.
Please do everything you can to encourage your Senators to support
important school library programs! Please call your Senators TODAY at
(202) 224-3121 (Capitol Switchboard number) and ask them to call
Senators Reed or Collins and agree to sign on to the letter supporting
libraries.
You need call right away.
Thank you in advance for your support and help.
Text of the letter follows:
Senator Arlen Specter Senator Tom Harkin
Chairman Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Labor, Subcommittee on Labor,
Health and Human Services, and Health and Human Services, and
Education Education
Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations
Dear Chairman Specter and Senator Harkin:
We write to urge you to include increases in funding for the Library
Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Improving Literacy Through
School Libraries program in the Fiscal Year 2004 Labor, Health and Human
Services, and Education Appropriations bill. As you know, the President
has rightly proposed increases for these two critical programs in his
FY04 budget.
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Libraries are the information
hubs of our communities. Around the country, knowledgeable librarians
help patrons to access essential information. They offer training on
resume development; help on web searches of job banks; workshops on
career information; family literacy classes; homework help and mentoring
programs; books and resources to support adults and children dealing
with loss; information on religions and other cultures; access to
government information, both in paper and on-line, and so much more.
Our request for an increase is being made within the context of the
current reauthorization process for LSTA. We are requesting an increase
that meets the President's request of $208 million, plus additional
funding to ensure the doubling of the minimum state allotment, included
in both House and Senate LSTA reauthorization bills, this fiscal year.
A significant increase in funding is also particularly necessary during
this time of economic downturn as more and more Americans are turning to
their libraries for assistance. Increased funding would allow states to
assist libraries in serving their public with expanded access to
electronic on-line data and resource materials, information and help for
jobseekers, and support for new business and all the many areas of
interests in our communities.
Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program The 107th Congress
recognized the need to improve our nation's school libraries as part of
a comprehensive and renewed strategy to ensure that students learn to
read and to read well. The No Child Left Behind Act authorized the
President's reading proposals, Reading First and Early Reading First,
along with the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program to
provide students with up-to-date and engaging reading material so they
can increase their literacy skills and develop a love for reading.
The Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program restores much
needed support for school libraries. Funding is targeted to high
poverty districts, and districts and schools are given flexibility to
use the funds to meet local school library needs, such as: purchasing
up-to-date books, other reading materials, and technology; providing
professional development for school librarians and increasing
collaboration among librarians and teachers; establishing
resource-sharing initiatives; and expanding access to the school library
during non-school hours.
In its first year, the Department of Education received over 1,000
qualified applications. With $12.5 million available for the program,
only 100 grants could be awarded. The need for school library funds
nationwide continues to be great.
To increase reading scores, we must provide students with the essential
building blocks for reading success - books. We urge you to
significantly boost funding for the Improving Literacy Through School
Libraries program to meet the $100 million trigger contained in the law
to expand the reach of this effort and meet the achievement gains
demanded in the No Child Left Behind Act.
Thank you for your consideration of these requests and your continued
support and commitment to the role of our nation's libraries in
developing a literate, educated, and democratic society. We look
forward to working with you.
posted by:
Steven L. Hofmann
Manager, Digital Development
American Association of School Librarians
a division of the American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2795
800-545-2433, ext. 4389
312-280-4389 direct
312-664-7459 fax
shofmann@ala.org
www.ala.org/aasl
www.ala.org/aasl/kqweb - Knowledge Quest on the Web
www.ala.org/aasl/SLMR - School Library Media Research
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