Legislative CALL (EMAIL, WRITE) to Action

With Library Legislative Breakfast season having just completed (as well as Legislative Day), there are a few key pieces of information that we have received from our elected officials that should be shared, statewide. 

We were told repeatedly, by multiple legislators, that the MBLC’s Legislative Agenda is a quite reasonable financial request.  Additionally, that revenues should be increasing this year—and with our libraries having taken such a hit in recent years, that “now is the time” to hopefully bring some of that lost funding back.

However, we need to do a better job of building the case for the needs of our libraries.  Senator Knapik informed us that his office has received, for example, about 400 communications on the topic of gun control.  To be heard in this climate, we need our users to mount a letter-writing campaign on behalf of our libraries.  High volume messages might be the extra bump needed to push a funding increase over the finish line.

So, what can we do?

Thanks to Commissioner Mary Kronholm and WMLA President Christopher Lindquist, we have 3 forms (one for the Governor, your local Senator, and your local Representative) that we encourage you to print and make available for your patrons to sign.  It is a brief statement that can be copied and pasted, and will fit onto a postcard.  This may seem like a small gesture, but every bit counts and every message that our elected officials receive will go far towards making all of our libraries stronger.

Can you get 10 of your patrons to sign and mail in cards?  Twenty?  More?  If we all pull together on this, we can really make a difference for all of us.  It’s up to us! 

Samples follow.  Thanks so much for your advocacy on behalf of our libraries!!!!

(Some libraries are providing the cards and their Friends are supplying the postage.)

(1) Dear Representative _________________________,

I ask for your continued support for the following budget items so our

library  can continue to provide, maintain and improve patron services when the
demand on libraries is at an all-time high:

* State Aid to Public Libraries (7000 – 9501)

* Automated Networks/ Library Technology  and  Resource Sharing (7000 – 9506)
* Massachusetts Library System/ State Aid to Regional Libraries and the
    Library for the Commonwealth (7000 – 9401)

      Thank you,

____________________________________________    TOWN NAME, Massachusetts
 

(2) Dear Senator _______________________________,

I ask for your continued support for the following budget items so our

library  can continue to provide, maintain and improve patron services when the
demand on libraries is at an all-time high:

* State Aid to Public Libraries (7000 – 9501)

* Automated Networks/ Library Technology  and  Resource Sharing (7000 – 9506)
* Massachusetts Library System/ State Aid to Regional Libraries and the Library for the Commonwealth (7000 – 9401)

      Thank you,

 ____________________________________________    TOWN NAME, Massachusetts

 

(3) Dear Governor Patrick,

The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program has partnered

with local and state officials from more than 200 communities to build new
or expand and renovate existing libraries. The Massachusetts Board of
Library Commissioners is seeking a $150 million bond bill to fund library
construction projects that are currently on a waiting list and run a new
grant round.  We all appreciate what this will do for Massachusetts’
communities.  Please continue to support this effort.

  Thank you,

 ___________________________________________   TOWN NAME , Massachusetts