We need your help! Gov. Rell's proposed budget will CUT essential Library services

The state budget proposed by Governor Rell on May 29th eliminates state support for a number of programs that are very important to the services of the Stratford Library Association. What is at stake?

• Connecticut Education Network provides every public library with free Internet connection, reduced funding jeopardizes this essential service
• Interlibrary Loan Service reduced funding for the statewide delivery system between libraries. If local libraries had to mail these items it would cost over $5 million a year
• ICONN, the state-wide Digital Library provides access to thousands of journals, magazines, newspapers and other research resources affecting every school, public library and college in Connecticut
• Connecticard allows free access residents to borrow from any library in the state making many more books and other library resources available at great savings to taxpayers
• ReQuest, the statewide catalog which allows citizens to locate over 4.4 million titles in libraries across the state
• Grants to Public Libraries- basic grants to local libraries fund books, technology, and staff training
• Service Centers provide training, consulting services, professional collections and early literacy materials to Connecticut’s libraries
• Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC) negotiates discounts with vendors, including book and media distributors saving libraries and schools hundreds of thousands of dollars

PLEASE let Governor Rell and our state Senators & Representatives know that you value the library and do not want to see these cuts happen. Let them know that money spent on public libraries is money wisely spent Governor M. Jodi Rell (R) Governor.Rell@ct.gov State Senate District 21: Dan Debicella (R) Dan.Debicella@cga.ct.gov State Senate District 23: Edwin Gomes (D) Gomes@senatedems.ct.gov State House District 120: John A. Harkins (R) John.Harkins@housegop.ct.gov State House District 121: Terry Backer (D) Terry.Backer@cga.ct.gov State House District 122: Lawrence G. Miller (R) Lawrence.G.Miller@housegop.ct.gov Thanks!