Funding for Michigan Electronic Library, MeLCat At Risk At Federal Level

Funding for Michigan Electronic Library, MeLCat At Risk At Federal Level: From the RedTape Blog:
"As we all wait for detailed news of the State budget cuts to be released, there is something proactive you can do today to fight to save funding for MeL and MeLCat. The Michigan eLibrary is currently funded through $5 million in federal funds from LSTA. If those funds disappear, so does MeL.



This week, the House of Representatives will consider an amendment to the FY2011 Continuing Resolution that is critical to Michigan libraries – one that would eliminate all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding.



Email via CapWiz or call your representative at (202) 224-3121 today and tell him or her to oppose Amendment #35 to the Continuing Resolution!



Amendment #35, submitted by U.S. Rep. Scott Garret (R-NJ), seeks to zero out the Institute of Museum and Library Services, eliminating all federal funding specifically for libraries.


Message to Your Congressional Representative:

• The Michigan eLibrary is funded through LSTA funds. These federal funds are critical to sustaining Michigan's statewide resource sharing system that saves the state over $72 million annually through group purchasing. It supports libraries of all types K-12, community college, public, private and universities.
• Libraries are essential to every community, and federal funding is critical for ensuring library resources and services remain available to their constituents.
• LSTA supports all kinds of libraries including school, academic, and public libraries.
• Public libraries are the primary source of no-fee access to the Internet and are active in assisting the public with online job searches, e-government services, and lifelong learning.

Michigan Library Association Update, February 17, 2011. For more information, contact:


Gretchen Couraud, CAE, CFRE

Executive Director

Michigan Library Association

1407 Rensen, Suite 2

Lansing, MI 48910

couraudg@mlcnet.org

Ph: 517-394-2774 ext. 224

Fax: 517-394-2675

www.mla.lib.mi.us

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

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