Gary and I were privileged to witness a truly amazing legislative hearing process yesterday. Many citizens associated with Maine's seven cultural agencies appeared at the State House at 1:00 p.m. yesterday (many had come at 12:00 for a press conference in the Cultural Building Atrium) prepared to testify in support of this legislation. Four other L.D.'s were heard before # 1787 resulting in the cultural agency testimony staring well after 5:00 p.m. Only one of the 14 presenters had to leave before that time! All others stayed to speak their minds to the Appropriations Committee on behalf of us all. Those testifying for the library world were: Steve Podgajny, Director of Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick; Donna Chasse, Trustee of the Warren T. Hansen Memorial Library in Mars Hill; and Barbara McDade, Director of the Bangor Public Library. Anne Davis, MLA President, attended the press conference and attended the appropriations hearing until L.D. 1787 was completed. Inese Gruber, Director of Windham Public Library was also present along with Betsy York (NMLD Executive Board Chair from Mars Hill.) That these people stayed through a very long afternoon to testify for L.D. 1787 probably made as much of a statement to the Appropriations Committee as did the wonderful testimony. Huge thanks to all!! Linda H. Lord Director of Library Development Maine State Library 64 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 (207) 287-5620 [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>