Thank you Trish for forwarding the Action Alert from ALA. I know many people have asked me how they could support School Libraries. Contacting Senators Stabenow and Peters to ask them to co-sponsor S.312 which is the bipartisan SKILLS (Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries Act) is one such way. If you are interested in making a call, but need assistance with wording about school libraries --- below is a suggestion:

Call Senator Stabenow (202-224-4822) and Senator Peters (202-224-6221). Most times you will have to leave a voicemail. You could say something like the following (modify this slightly to include your own 'voice') ---

“I would like to ask Senator ______ to co-sponsor S. 312 the SKILLS Act which is the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries Act. It is a bipartisan act introduced by Senators Reed, Cochran, and Whitehouse. School libraries are critical to improving our education system and for preparing students to compete in today’s global economy. Multiple studies show that strong school library programs have a positive impact on student achievement. Senator ______, please support dedicated funding for effective school library programs under ESEA by co-sponsoring S.312. Thank you.”

Please remember to include your name and address with zip code.

Thank you very much,

Kathy

Kathy Lester, MLIS, MA
MAME Past-President, 2014
School Librarian/Technology Integrationist

East Middle School, Plymouth-Canton Schools
2012 State Librarian's Excellence Award Winner
kathyL@mimame.org
cell: 810-333-5873

On Thu, Feb 19, 2015 at 4:06 PM, Trish Burns <tburns@saginawlibrary.org> wrote:

From ALA –

·        Please take a moment and review the information below and act on it as you feel appropriate.
·
·        Ensure the Future of School Library Funding
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides federal funding for K-12 education programs. Reauthorization of legislation of this nature will determine federal education policy for the coming decade and it is imperative that dedicated funding for school library programs be included. We need you to contact both Senators from your state and let them know how critical school libraries are in improving our education system. Ask them to support dedicated funding for effective school library programs under ESEA by co-sponsoring S.312.

Trish Burns
Director, Public Libraries of Saginaw
505 Janes Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48607
989-755-9833
tburns@saginawlibrary.org
ALA Councilor for Michigan

_______________________________________________
Michlib-l mailing list
Michlib-l@mcls.org
http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l