---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ALA Washington Office <districtdispatch@alawash.org<mailto:districtdispatch@alawash.org>> Date: Tue, Dec 16, 2014 at 4:58 PM Subject: "E" is for essential: support historic FCC E-Rate gains [Image removed by sender.] "E" is for essential: help "lock in" historic FCC E-Rate gains Educate your Members of Congress today! Librarians know how essential the E-rate program has been and will be to meeting their communities' needs for high-speed broadband internet access and online services, critical in the 21st century. That's why ALA fought hard to create the program and, for the past 18 months, to encourage the Federal Communications Commission to dramatically increase the program's funding and streamline the application procedures. Libraries did it! Starting in 2015, an additional $1.5 billion will be available to libraries across the country, to be used to further narrow and ultimately close the digital divide...and those funds will be easier to apply for. No legislation from Congress is needed for the FCC's E-rate order to go into effect. In an era of tight budgets, however, Congress has the means to undermine the momentum of the order. Since the E-rate program hasn't been before Congress in most of a decade, and the incoming Congress has over 70 new Members (including 13 Senators), now is a great time to remind and/or educate both of your Senators and your Representative about just how vital E-rate funding is to your local library and community. Returning and new Members of Congress are home for the holidays, but their local offices are open for business and always eager to hear from local constituents like you! Please, take 5 minutes this month to call your Representative and both of your Senators' offices. Simply tell the staffer who answers the phone that you'd like their boss to 'support the E-rate program" because it's fundamental to supporting 21st century library services. Briefly explain one reason that it is important for the education, employment and/or civil engagment of your patrons and community - or better yet, invite your Members to visit the library and see for themselves how E-rate benefits the community every day. It's as easy as that. Call Congress Today!<http://cqrcengage.com/ala/app/take-action?engagementId=72441&ep=AAAAC2Flc0NpcGhlcjAxq37QQFb5VNHxjf7pZpSFtOMD2TvboXPvjPgzykg4T_UQ-3gPiK0GjfHo1IvZbz8YQY7IcTJbytjS4z9eUJubHrIQnELvU5jqpwtBZLfClk4&lp=0> More information is also available from the Washington Office blog, District Dispatch<http://cqrcengage.com/ala/app/thru?ep=AAAAC2Flc0NpcGhlcjAxtl0cGUkbPy1RoWSPDdBOOPKZwyYgYdFdnDAM2Skn_BwYStiXkXgf19BoAc5lenqErdtIvNZeBRNEJ_TkqiW2GCbcNpvcSsBwzGR2leQ2Fu6CYr2OGWrLauMZLnYVYSUY1tIVGuzs_0hkmQTh4PRCcFEL4_I-iPXZ66qDRutI88DPuDMJK6zlhHBgyh1_WdHhwu6E-mVO1LgrdcYorV7gNg&lp=0>.