Rediscover Libraries

FOR RELEASE BY: May 24, 2006
CONTACT: Toby Rossner
PHONE: (401) 521-5965

LOCAL LIBRARY SUPPORTERS VISIT CONGRESS

Joan Ress Reeves, Rose Ellen Reynolds, Cindy Lunghofer, Donna Hayes and Donna Longo DiMichele were among those urging Capitol Hill legislators to support libraries as part of National Library Legislative Day held May 3, 2006 in Washington, D.C.

The group, representing Rhode Island, met with members of the Rhode Island Congressional delegation to seek support for library legislation now pending in Congress. The group visited the offices of Senator Jack Reed, Senator Lincoln Chafee, Congressman James Langevin and Congressman Patrick Kennedy.

“Ongoing federal funding for programs like e-rate," said RILA president Cindy Lunghofer, "allows local libraries to offer computer training to new family literacy students. These students are now armed with skills for the workplace and ready to be informed citizens."

Although libraries receive much of their support from state and local funds, federal assistance stimulates local dollars and helps stretch them further. Libraries need continued federal support for changing technology if they are to keep pace with the rapid growth in library use nationwide.

The event is sponsored by the American Library Association, the District of Columbia Library Association, the Special Libraries Association and other concerned organizations to raise awareness about the importance to local communities of federal funding and programs such as E-rate discounts on telecommunications services for libraries.