These are Senator Chris Murphy’s replies to my emails advocating for School Libraries in the recent weeks.  It is good news that he is advocating  for libraries and literacy.  I will continue to monitor progress of the bill and keep you informed. 

Shelley Stedman, MLS
Vice President 
Connecticut Association of School Librarians


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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Senator Christopher Murphy" <senator_@murphy.senate.gov>
Subject: A message from the office of Senator Christopher Murphy
Date: May 8, 2015 at 12:22:27 PM EDT
To: <slstedman@hotmail.com>


Thank you for contacting me about school libraries and child literacy. I appreciate your correspondence and hope you find this response helpful. 

As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I am supportive of legislation to help states and districts expand school libraries and hire great school librarians. Libraries, staffed by an experienced and well trained librarian, play a vital role in our communities to promote literacy and foster an atmosphere of intellectual curiosity at an early age. Legislation such as the Strengthening Kids' Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLS) Act can help ensure that every child attending school in the United States has access to a library.   

While this legislation has not yet been considered in the Senate, please know that I will continue to advocate for library and literacy programming as your Senator.


Thank you again for contacting me about this matter.  I appreciate hearing from you and assure you that I will always do my best to represent the views of my constituents in the Senate.  In the future, please do not hesitate to call me in my Connecticut office at (860) 549-8463 or in my Washington office at (202) 224-4041.
            Every Best Wish,

            Christopher S. Murphy
            United States Senator