TO:  WV Librarians and supporters

FROM:  Myra Ziegler, WVLA Legislative Chair

Re:  The Governor's budget

The news is better than good!  Governor Bob Wise's budget for 2005 includes an increase in spending for WV libraries.

Under the Governor's plan:
  a.. Grants in aid to public libraries stays at $7,348,884
  b.. Digital library would get $219,992
  c.. The line item which funds the Statewide network that pays for technical support for libraries would be increased by $226,678
  d.. A new line item proposes to pay $500,000 for services to libraries.  This would pay the costs for services to small libraries from larger libraries without reducing the small libraries grants in aid.

What now? 
First - thank the Governor for his wonderful and outstanding support.
Then - work hard to insure that Legislators pass the budget with these appropriations included. 

How?
Contact your representatives and ask for their support.
 
Round up as many library supporters as you can and attend Library Day in the Legislature on February 10
  a.. Visit the displays in the Rotunda between 9 - 4
  b.. Call and make an appointment to visit with your delegates and senators to talk about library issues.
  c.. Ask one of your representatives to introduce your group of library supporters during the sessions at 11:00 AM
  d.. Come to the reception from 5 - 7 PM in the Great Hall at the Cultural Center.  Enjoy the wonderful food and wine served by Wellingtons, listen to music performed by musicians from the Charleston Light Opera Guild and most importantly take the opportunity to visit informally with your State Legislators. Tickets to this event are $25 and are available in public libraries across the State.  Your Legislators have received tickets already.  Be sure to tell them how much your are looking forward to seeing them there.

In these tight times, many programs are facing proposed budget cuts and there will be a lot of pressure on our representatives to restore or increase funds to effected programs.  In order to ensure that we hold on to the proposed increases to libraries, we need to be sure that
legislators hear from lots of library lovers just how important this is.
 Delegate Barbara Fleishauer told us during our Rally in November that the "squeaky wheel gets the grease".   So get out there and squeak!


See you on the 10th.

(I can be reached at 466-4490 or at zieglerm@mail.mln.lib.wv.us)