Forwarded on behalf of ALA:


To Chapters:

As expected the President is eliminates funding for libraries in his budget. So it is time to get messages to members of the House of Representatives to sign the “Dear Appropriator” Letters.

This action call below is for everyone. So thanks for sending it out to all of your lists.

A message to  the Chapters to create and send your letters for IMLS and IAL will be coming soon.

Thanks for all your help on this!

Michael

Ask your Representative to #FundLibraries

Email your Rep today and ask them to oppose cuts to federal funding for libraries!

The White House budget proposal for FY2020 has, for a third time, proposed elimination of federal funding for libraries. This year's "Dear Appropriator" letters have started to circulate in the House, asking Representatives to preserve more than $210 million in federal library funding.

One letter asks members of the House Appropriations Committee to fully fund the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the other asks the Committee to fully fund the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program. The more signatures we have, the better the chance that the appropriators will protect funding for LSTA and IAL programs. This is particularly important as the battle for domestic spending becomes more competitive. Members of Congress look for programs to cut.

The LSTA letter is being jointly led by Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Don Young (R-AK). The IAL letter is being led by Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Don Young (R-AK) and Jim McGovern (D-MA). Please email your representative and ask them to sign on to both letters.

The House deadline is March 28. Email and call now, as letters will close a few days before the deadline. Stay tuned for a similar call to action for the Senate in the coming days.

Want to see if your representative has signed already? Check our appropriations letter tracker. Need more info? Read the latest advocacy news in American Libraries magazine online.