PLA Advocacy Action Alert! Jobs for Main Street ActThis morning I sent off
an email to the 106 public libraries in the NMLD asking for them to contact
Senators Collins and Snowe.  I gave them contact information for each
office.  I just this minute got this from Public Library Association.  This
makes that step even easier for you all to do since the message is already
written for you.  I hope some of you will take advantage of this.

Sincerely,
Valerie Osborne, Consultant
Northeastern Maine Library District
Bangor Public Library
145 Harlow Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207)947-8336 phone
(800)427-8336 toll free
(207)945-6694 fax
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-----Original Message-----
From: Public Library Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 12:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: {Disarmed} PLA Advocacy Action Alert! Jobs for Main Street Act


                  PLA ADVOCACY ACTION ALERT!

                  Libraries are at the heart of Main Streets across the
United States, but somehow, funding for library positions is not included in
the U.S. Senate’s $80 billion Jobs for Main Street Act, also known as the
“Jobs Bill.”

                  There's still a chance to make a difference. Your senators
need to hear from you!

                  Within the “Jobs Bill” is $20.5 billion for “Creating Jobs
that Provide Public Services.” It can’t be denied that librarians are
pivotal public service providers as libraries are the only source of no-fee
computer/Internet access for 71 percent of Americans – many of whom are out
of work and rely on their library’s resources to find employment.

                  Government funding would offer libraries the opportunity
to hire back staff released due to budget cuts, recruit new staff, or expand
staff services around job searching and employment skills training.

                  Demand that our leaders in Washington revise the “Jobs
Bill” to include librarians.

                  It’s easy!

                  E-MAIL

                    1.. Personalize the form letter developed by ALA’s
Office for Library Advocacy. Let your senators know what your library is
doing to help people find jobs.
                    2.. Fill out your contact information.
                    3.. Click “Send Message.” An e-mail will automatically
be sent to your senators.
                  CALL

                  If you’d rather act by phone, call the U.S. Capitol
Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senators’ offices. Find a
list of senators here. Remember that telephone calls are usually taken by a
staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who
handles the “Jobs Bill.” After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would
like to leave a brief message, such as: "Please tell Senator (Name) I would
like the Jobs for Main Street Act to include the hiring and retaining of
librarians.” You will also want to state reasons for your request.

                  This bill could come up for voting at any moment, so it is
critically important that you ACT NOW!

                  Thank you for your help in making a difference for
librarians on Main Streets across the United States.










      Public Library Association, a division of the American Library
Association
      50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611



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