Federal funds and libraries jreit@moose.uvm.edu 05 Mar 1994 02:53 UTC
Forwarding to SERIALST (originally from the BI-L list). -- Birdie ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I just received this rather alarming announcement over BI-L. My apologies if you've already read it somewhere else. ------------- Libraries are Again At Risk in FY95 Budget Just after the President called for the extension of the information infrastructure to every "school, hospital, and library" in his State of the Union address earlier this month, he proposed to scale back library programs that could help make this more than just a goal. The FY95 Clinton-Gore Budget calls for a $25.9 million cut in Library Services and Construction Act funding that would mean the total elimination of key programs including public library literacy programs and training for librarians. In addition, the Budget calls for the total elimination of funding for Higher Education Act (HEA) programs! What Does this Mean? For the foreseeable future, public libraries will be a vital technology access point for millions of Americans. And even when (if) every American home is "wired," libraries will still be needed to offer the training and education vital to the effective use of technology. For example, 27 million illiterate Americans will have little chance to benefit from digital libraries if public library literacy programs (LSCA Title VI) are cut. The Administration's stated aims for technology diffusion and for education (See "Goals 2000") cannot be reached if public libraries are debilitated. What can you do? Write your Senators and member of Congress. Ask that they strongly oppose the elimination of federal funding for libraries at a time when libraries are crucial to promoting information equity. Your action is especially needed if your legislator sits on the House or Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Your member of Congress Your Senator U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510 Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education SENATE: Byrd (WV), Hollings (SC), Inouye (HI), Bumpers (AK), Reid (NV), Kohl (WI), Murray (WS), Specter (PA), Hatfield (OR), Stevens (AK) Cochran (MS), Gorton (WA), Mack (FL), Bond (MO) HOUSE: Natcher (KY), Smith (IA), Obey (WI), Stokes (OH), Hoyer (MD), Pelosi (CA), Lowey (NY), Serrano (NY), DeLauro (CT), Porter (IL), Young (FL),Bentley (MD), Bonilla (TX) Thanks for your help! For more information, contact Libraries for the Future 212-682-7446 or by e-mail at lpowers@phantom.com.