[Publib] Fwd: [alacoun] ALA Letter on Farm Aid

[Diedre Conkling]

FYI

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Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:20:02 -0500
From: "Emily Sheketoff" <esheketoff at alawash.org>
To: <alacoun at ala.org>
Cc: <alacol2 at ala.org>
Subject: [alacoun] ALA Letter on Farm Aid

December 10, 2007

 

 

Dear Senator:

 

On behalf of the over 66,000 members of the American Library
Association, we write to ask you to please vote during debate on the
pending FARM bill for an amendment sponsored by Senator Lugar and
several other senators, that adds in the phrase "library connectivity"
to several key sections.  This amendment would make it possible for
libraries serving rural areas to participate in the Connect America Now
(CAN) program.  While schools, telemedicine, public television stations,
and distance learning are included, there has been a gap in the CAN
program because libraries were not eligible for these types of one-time
grants and loans.  

 

Rural libraries across the country need broadband services in order to
level the playing field for their local communities.  Libraries serve as
an important link for those people who have no connectivity and for
those who need faster download speeds to access all types of
information, now often available only online.  As you know, residents in
rural areas often have no home broadband services, and even where they
do, the speeds are too slow to reasonably access E-government and other
services.  Libraries serve as a critical connection for the rural
residents of our country to bring them the benefits of our information
society.  

 

While the FCC's universal service program and its E-rate discounts
assist libraries with the ongoing costs of monthly connectivity (and
certain other limited services), only programs like Connect American Now
can help with the other pieces needed to assure advanced
telecommunications services; whether it be the last mile, unique
equipment for broadband networks, or adapting facilities to accept
broadband.  

 

We would appreciate your vote for Library Connectivity, which will help
rural America, as well as our entire country.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lynne E. Bradley, Director

Office of Government Relations

 

 

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