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~!tnn~ri~aii uf tp~ U~ua~in~tnn, ~Qt ~D515 nitrb ~tut~ April, 201 The Honorable Jack Kingston The Honorable Rosa DeLauro Chairman, Subcommittee on Labor, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Labor, Health

Kingston and Ranking Member DeLauro: We write to urge your support for the education, workforce, and economic development needs of Americans by providing no less than the FY 201 funding level for the

all types of information, skills training, and computing services.

their homes. ndeed, even as the economy shows signs of improvement, patrons continue to turn to their local library for assistance and access to essential information on a wide range of topics.

1 ~!tnn~ri~aii uf tp~ U~ua~in~tnn, ~Qt ~D515 nitrb ~tut~ April, 201 The Honorable Jack Kingston The Honorable Rosa DeLauro Chairman, Subcommittee on Labor, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Health and Human Services, and Education House Appropriations Committee House Appropriations Committee Washington, DC Washington, DC Dear Chairman Kingston and Ranking Member DeLauro: We write to urge your support for the education, workforce, and economic development needs of Americans by providing no less than the FY 201 funding level for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in the FY 2015 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill Libraries serve a unique and important role by providing free access to all types of information, skills training, and computing services. The demand for such services has grown in concert with the need to apply online for many jobs and government services especially as Americans have been increasingly unable to afford broadband in their homes. ndeed, even as the economy shows signs of improvement, patrons continue to turn to their local library for assistance and access to essential information on a wide range of topics. Every day, libraries across the country provide no-fee public access to computers and the nternet in some of our most distressed communities. AcQ~rding to a recent American Library Association report, 65 percent of all libraries nationwide sa3i they are the only provider of free nternet access in their communities. n rural areas, public libraries are even more critical, with 73 percent reporting they serve as their community s only free nternet provider. Libraries, however, provide more than just nternet access. More than 92 percent of public libraries offer services that help patrons complete online job applications, create resumes, and access job databases and searches. Libraries also provide resources and specialized collections for small businesses, which help create business plans and develop new growth strategies. Moreover, libraries expose children to books and information to help them gain and enhance their literacy skills. Numerous surveys show that many of our nation s children living in poverty have no books at home. These children depend on their local libraries story-time and summer reading programs to help them prepare to learn in school and succeed. Unfortunately, during this time of increased demand, library budgets all across the country are being drastically cut, leading many to close or reduce hours. PRNTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

2 LSTA is the only federal program that helps public libraries meet community needs, provide enhanced services through technology, reach underserved populations, and retain librarians while recruiting new entrants to this important field. Robust federal support for the state formula program and competitive grants provided by LSTA is more essential now than ever. We urge you to provide no less than the FY 201 funding level for LSTA in order to ensure that Americans of all ages have access to libraries, nternet, and information services; the resources they need to develop literacy skills and achieve academically; and the services and tools to search for, find, and create jobs. Thank you for your continued support in sustaining and strengthening our nation s libraries. Sincerely, tl tt LtL ± Ra. Grijalva Rush Holt ~-~J, Earl Blumenauer Robert A. Brady us. apps Michael E.~Capuano Member - ~i ess Tony Ca(denas An ré son Membe f Congress Matt Cartwright David N. Cicilline Katherine Clark ~ 0 e D. Clarke

3 AiAJ ~ Cohen ia~aaa. ~LA. 1 ~hn Conyers, f. ember of Co gress Ai~iA~ 0 DannyK.D is Member 0 ongress V Gerald E. Connolly ~ A ~ Elij. Cummings Tammy i, ckworth Member Congress ~:AfAAd Kei ilison ember ofcb A1~i~i Eliot L. Engel P E~.ethEsty - mber of Congress Chaka Fatt~ ember o Congress Member of ongress Tulsi Gabbard Colleen Hana usa Ruben Hinojosa Me ber of Congress - Denny Heck a ~ a Jackson - e 1L~; - be of jess ~, YA~ H Johnson f Ann Kirkpa ck

4 a 0 p angevin ber of Congress ~hn Lewis h~ mber of Congress ~2 %aø~ Rick Larsen Member of,~ Dave L.~isack Membe ~ ongress,elofgren ember of Congress SteprenF. ynch M- b- ofc, gress ~F~ Doris Matsui Mike Mcntyre e.member of Con~i -ss McGovern & i cnerney ember of Congre~. i Mike Michaud ~erofci~. ~ Bill Pascrell Jr. Donald M. Payne Jr Li, Chellie Pingree 0 1 ~ares B. Rangel - A p Gary C eters Jd.t.,.~ ~ ed Polis ember of Congress Gregorio Sablan

5 -mber of Congress ice Schakowsky. Bobby Scott. Bradley S. Schneidei~ COAC~ 3 v~g~r Carol Shea-Porter M ber of Congress a Sires p ~ ~ :uisem.slaughter M1rof Congress ~ of Congress olm F. Tiemey Member.fCongre~i~ pp. ø Paul D. Tonko Member of~ Chris Van Hollen i emon Vela ember of Congress axine aters Memb; r of Congress Frederica S. Wilson ~A~AW1.hnYarm ember o Congress

Qtnngri~s uf tt~ Thiiti~ ~taii~s U1~1~ingtnu, ~3QL 0515

Qtnngri~s uf tt~ Thiiti~ ~taii~s U1~1~ingtnu, ~3QL 0515 Qtnngri~s uf tt~ Thiiti~ ~tai~s U1~1~ingtnu, ~3QL 0515 March 24, 2016 The Honorable Tom Cole The Honorable Rosa DeLauro Chairman Ranking Member Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Subcommittee on Labor,