Speak up for NY's Libraries in 2008

[Rebekkah Smith Aldrich (MHLS)]

As many of you know the Governor's current proposal contains $5 million less in library aid than was received last year. However, the $14 million in construction has been re-proposed which is excellent news. On both of these fronts we need library advocates to step up and let the legislature know where libraries stand - we're grateful for the construction money but really do need to see the $5 million restored (History of Library Funding in NY: http://midhudson.org/funding/advocacy/funding_history.htm).

To help:

• Visit the New Your Library Association's web site at http://www.nyla.org and click on the red, white & blue button that reads "Become a Library Advocate." Behind that button is an easy way to send your legislators a faxed message about the needs of New Yorkers to see basic aid restored to the library community.
  
• Attend Library Lobby Day on Tuesday, March 11th in Albany. MHLS will arrange transportation pick-up points along the NYS Thruway and make all appointments with legislators - come help us pack the offices of area legislators to show support for libraries. Register for the event at http://calendar.midhudson.org/. Bus registration info will be coming soon.
  
• Consider joining the New Yorkers for Better Libraries Political Action Committee (NYLIBS-PAC) - this group supports library issues in NY through targeted advocacy with leading legislators. They will be holding a gala banquet Monday, March 10th, the night before Lobby Day, in Albany. Learn more on their web site: http://www.nylibs-pac.net

We appreciate your interest and passion for libraries and hope you will join us in the efforts this year to reach out to legislators. Let me know if you have any questions.

-Rebekkah


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Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Coordinator of Member Information
Mid-Hudson Library System
103 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845.471.6060 x39
FX: 845.454.5940

http://midhudson.org