February 11, 2002
Dear SLA GR Chairs and Members:
As an SLA Government Relations Chair, or any interested SLA member, we'd like to ask for your assistance. The White House has announced a proposal to spend $10 million during the 2003 fiscal year to "recruit a new generation of librarians." If the initiative passes it will be administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The administration's recommendation suggests applying the monies toward several things, including providing grants to masters and doctoral candidates and developing distance learning in rural areas. Because the IMLS is a federal agency, its funding is allotted during the budget and appropriations process. The President's request was included in the budget blueprint he sent to congress on February 4, 2002.
This is a great opportunity for SLA to enhance the future of the information profession by nudging our elected officials to implement the administration's proposal. We are hoping that you as a GR chair will help advance this initiative by writing to your representative and senators, and encourage others in your chapter or division to do so as well. Talking points are included to provide guidance in drafting your correspondence. We would appreciate it if you would forward a copy of your correspondence to doug@sla.org
Unfortunately, mail service to the Hill is still extremely slow so constituents are starting to use more advanced technology to contact congresspersons. And congress is becoming more open to these forms of communication. For these reasons we recommend sending your comments/letter by either e-mail or fax. If you prefer to send a physical letter you should mail it to one of your representative's local offices.
When writing your letters make sure to personalize them and to ask the representative or senator to forward your comments to the chairperson and ranking member of each of these committees: the Senate Budget Committee, House Budget Committee, Senate Appropriations Committee, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, House Appropriations Committee, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. The name of the chairperson and ranking member of each committee is attached.
For a congressperson without a published e-mail address there are a couple of options. If the congressperson is the chair or ranking member of one of the referenced subcommittees you can use that subcommittee's fax number. If the congressperson is the chair or ranking member of one of the referenced full committees you can use that full committee's fax number. For any other congressperson you can use the fax number for his or her legislative office. If you are unsure about who your local representative or senators are, or would like to get the address for a district office, can go to either go to the House of Representatives or Senate Web site.
Recommended Format for Written Correspondence with Congress
Dear Congressman/Senator/Chairperson Jones:
Please vote yes on the Bush administration's proposed $10 million initiative to recruit a new generation of librarians.
Sincerely,
Joan
{2 spaces}
Ms. Joan A. Citizen
15 Taxpayer Drive
All About America, Any State 00000
Senate Appropriations Committee
Chair: Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)
Ranking Member: Ted Stevens (R-AK)
Sen. Appropriations Subcmte. on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
Chair: Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Ranking Member: Arlen Specter (R-PA)
House Appropriations Committee
Chair: C.W. "Bill" Young (R-FL)
Ranking Member: David R. Obey (D-WI)
House Approps. Subcmte. on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
Chair: Ralph Regula (R-OH)
Ranking Member: David R. Obey (D-WI)
Senate Budget Committee
Chair: Kent Conrad (D-ND)
Ranking Member: Pete V. Domenici (R-NM)
House Budget Committee
Chair: Jim Nussle (R-IA)
Ranking Member: John M. Spratt, Jr. (D-SC)
Helpful Sites for Looking-up Members of Congress/Senate
House of Representatives
Senate
Possible Talking Points:
--The Special Libraries Association supports the Bush administration's proposed $10 million initiative to recruit a new generation of librarians in all areas of the profession, including corporate and academic librarians.
--An estimated 40% of U.S. library directors plan to retire within 9 years.
--There is the potential for a critical shortage of knowledge workers.
--With the new economy's focus on the Information Age, librarians are the ones in the driver's seat.
--Recruiting a new generation of librarians is vital for the economic, social, and military protection of any free nation.
--It is crucial that there are enough qualified Information professionals (special librarians, chief knowledge officers, and other knowledge mobilizers) to ask the right questions, and to apply information efficiently. This is even more important following the events of September 11th.
--It is important to ensure that technology is utilized by trained information professionals who understand the crucial role of credible information to our nation's security.
-- Many or our country's librarians deal with competitive intelligence on all levels.
--Wars are now fought (and hopefully prevented) with the information collected, analyzed, and disseminated by these trained information professionals.
--For the U.S. to be a knowledge nation, there must be a continuum of knowledge professionals from kindergarten to infinity. This ensures that the knowledge nation's fabric is strong throughout all sectors.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS): IMLS is an independent Federal agency that fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation's museums and libraries. Created by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, P.L. 104-208, IMLS administers the Library Services and Technology Act and the Museum Services Act. For more information contact IMLS at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 202-606-8536, or http://www.imls.gov.
About SLA: Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Special Libraries Association (SLA) is the international association representing the interests of thousands of information professionals in sixty countries. Special librarians are information resource experts who collect, analyze, evaluate, package, and disseminate information to facilitate accurate decision-making in corporate, academic, and government settings. The Association offers a variety of programs and services designed to help its members serve their customers more effectively and succeed in an increasingly challenging environment of information management and technology. SLA is committed to the professional growth and success of its membership. 202-234-4700, or http://www.sla.org
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