February 25, 2011

Penguins collecting books for kids

My favorite sports team -- the Pittsburgh Penguins -- are hosting a children's book collection to benefit the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh! Here is the rest of the press release from the Pens' website:

The Penguins organization will host its third children’s book collection on Saturday, March 12 for the benefit of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used children’s books to CONSOL Energy Center on Saturday afternoon, March 12 when the Penguins battle the Montreal Canadiens.  The books will be distributed to Carnegie Library branches in the Pittsburgh area to foster summer reading programs.  Monetary donations are also welcome and will be used by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to purchase new books.

The Penguins Wives Association and Booster Club will accept donations at the American Eagle Gate, Trib Total Media Gate, and Verizon Gate when gates open to the public until the puck drops.  Fans who contribute will be eligible to win autographed Penguins memorabilia!

February 22, 2011

Advocacy works!

From ALA, 2/17/11:

Advocacy works: Garrett backs down on amendment to zero out IMLS

Good work, everybody! Because of ALA’s unprecedented grassroots efforts this week on amendment #35 to H.R. 1 (the Continuing Resolution to the FY2011 budget) was defeated! This victory for libraries is undoubtedly due to the strong grassroots efforts of librarians and library supporters all across the country.

As you recall, late Monday evening U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) introduced an amendment that would eliminate all funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) including funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the primary source of federal dollars to libraries.
Today, as the U.S. House of Representatives wraps up floor debate on HR 1, Rep. Garrett has made it clear to us that he is no longer “pushing” for a vote on his amendment. Once the House passes H.R. 1, – likely today or tomorrow – the budget will be sent over to the Senate where they will have the opportunity to make amendments and vote on this year’s budget bill.

Even though we overcame this amendment, our work is not done. H.R. 1 still has to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President.

Also, libraries face cuts in President Obama’s FY2012 budget request sent to Congress on February 14. In his request, President Obama cuts funding to LSTA by $20 million as well as consolidates Improving Literacy Through School Libraries with other literacy programs in the Department of Education. ALA needs you to continue your calls to Congress in our fight to protect library funding in FY’12.

Now, more than ever, we need your participation on May 9-10, 2011 at ALA’s National Library Legislative Day in Washington D.C. where you will have the opportunity to meet with your members of Congress and explain to them why cutting library funding would be short-sighted.

February 17, 2011

Library funding in jeopardy

From American Libraries, 2/15/2011:

A bill is coming up for a vote this week in the House of Representatives that calls for the elimination of all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding, including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding, for the remainder of FY2011.

The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office has posted a link to its Capwiz email interface to facilitate library advocates contacting their congressional representatives to urge them to oppose Amendment 35 to the Continuing Resolution because:
    * Libraries are essential to every community, and federal funding is critical for ensuring that library resources and services remain available to their constituents.
    * LSTA supports all kinds of libraries including school, academic, 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.

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.

More information and ways to respond can be found at the following link (it's really easy to do):
http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=28204516