Important News from the ALA Washington Office:

This week, the House of Representatives will consider two amendments to the FY2011 Continuing Resolution that are critical to libraries – one that would eliminate all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding and another that would halt all funding for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) orders seeking libraries and bookstore records of U.S. citizens.  You can help make a difference!  Please take a few moments to help ensure the future of libraries:

E-mail via Capwiz or call your representative’s office at (202) 224-3121 today and tell their staff person you want your representative to oppose Amendment #35 to the Continuing Resolution!

Amendment #35, submitted by U.S. Rep. Scott Garret (R-NJ), seeks to zero out the Institute of Museum and Library Services, eliminating all federal funding specifically for libraries.

Talking Points to Share:

• Libraries provide essential services to their community, and do so in a cost effective manner.  Federal funding is critical for ensuring their constituents continue to have access to important services such as adult literacy, computer training, college & career preparation and more available through their local library.
• LSTA is a worthwhile return on investment because it supports their constituents in all kinds of libraries including school, college, and public libraries.
• Public libraries are the primary source of no-fee access to the Internet and are active in assisting the public with online  job searches, e-government services, and lifelong learning.
• Add a brief personal story about how your library has positively impacted one or more of your community members.

E-mail via Capwiz or call your representative’s office at (202) 224-3121 today and tell their staff person you want your representative to support Conyers’ amendment to the Continuing Resolution!

This amendment, sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), would halt all funding for FISA orders seeking libraries and bookstore records of U.S. citizens.  Currently, this vote is scheduled for this Thursday, February 17.  

Talking Points to Share:

• Vote YES on the Conyers amendment to the FY2011 Continuing Resolution to halt funding for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) orders that would seek library and bookstore records of U.S. citizens;
• The Conyers amendment seeks to protect individual privacy and personal reading records from inappropriate access by law enforcement;
• Like previous reader privacy bills, this amendment has bipartisan support;
• Law enforcement access to the reading habits of individuals should be held to a higher legal standard in order to protect civil liberties and the democratic principles of the right to read and to freely access information.

Please pass this information along to library patrons and advocates and encourage them to take action to support libraries as well.  The success of this effort depends on widespread support.  In the weeks to come, extending advocacy efforts to your senator’s offices as well as continuing to reach out to your representative’s offices will be vitally important to protecting the future of libraries. Questions as well as reports and feedback from your calls and e-mails are welcomed.  Please contact Kristin Murphy or Lynne Bradley at the ALA Office of Government Relations, Washington Office.

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

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

Beth Yoke, Executive Director

Young Adult Library Services Association

50 E. Huron St. Chicago, IL 60611

1.800.545.2433 x4391

fax: 312.280.5276

Get guidelines & tools for teen library services at

http://tinyurl.com/YALSAguides

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