Please contact Senator Blumenthal who is on the committee.  I did.

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Ted Wegner, ALA WO" <twegner@alawash.org>
To: Irene Kwidzinski <kwidz@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 2:03 PM
Subject: Senate Hearing on Libraries and E-Rate this Wednesday

Senate Hearing on Libraries and E-Rate this Wednesday
On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on ways to strengthen the E-Rate program for schools and libraries. You are receiving this message because one or both of your senators serves on this committee (see full list here).
 
Because of the importance of this hearing, we ask you to call your senator on the committee and share with them how the E-Rate program impacts your library. You can use the following talking points as a guide:
  • Because of Wednesday’s hearing on E-Rate, I want to share with you how these funds impact my library;
  •  E-Rate is the most critical federal technology funding source for libraries;
  • E-Rate allows our library (include name) to provide critical community services like (workforce readiness assistance, job searching help, homework help, etc.);
  • Libraries are community technology hubs, and the E-Rate program is essential to our ability to connect our residents with Internet-based information, resources and services.
You can find contact information for your senator/s by visiting the Legislative Action Center. Simply type your zip code into the “Find Your Officials” box.
 
 
Requesting E-Rate Feedback
In addition to calling your senator/s, the ALA Washington Office is also curious to hear about how your library is using E-Rate funds. How do you support K-12 students with the funds? Do you have examples of services that require high bandwidth like video conferencing? Do you offer innovative programming such as maker spaces or learning labs for K-12 students with E-Rate funds? If bandwidth weren’t a constraint, what types of programming could you imagine?
 
We really value this information as it helps us make a compelling case for E-Rate on Capitol Hill. Thanks for your time and efforts!
 

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