ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline
Volume 13, Number 76
October 7, 2004

In This Issue: CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT AMERICA'S SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES BY RESTORING FUNDING FOR TITLE V. 

The House of Representatives and the Senate have proposed either drastically cutting or completely eliminating funding for the Innovative Education Program Strategies (Title V) at the Department of Education.

Title V provides flexible funding to states and localities for innovative educational programs, including support for library services and instructional and media materials.  The program supports education reform efforts and provides an additional source of revenue for education improvement.

Title V provides funding for a wide variety of services to students (everything from school nurses to school safety), including the following library related uses: 
Development or acquisition of computer software and hardware, instruction materials, and library/media services and materials;
Programs to improve the literacy skills of adults, including adult education and family literacy programs

In his fiscal year 2005 budget, President Bush proposed freezing the Title V program at the same level as appropriated for FY 2004, a level that represented a 23 percent cut below FY 2003.

The House of Representatives proposed, as part of their Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill, first eliminating the program - then they relented, providing $20 million.  This represents an almost $277 million cut.

The Senate Appropriations Committee recently recommended eliminating the program.  The Senate has yet to set a date for floor consideration of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill.  It is likely this bill will be considered with several other outstanding appropriations bills after the elections.

ALA urges you to contact your Members of Congress and ask them to restore funding for this critical program that continues to provide schools, and particularly libraries, with the flexible resources they need to meet priorities, increase student achievement and enhance educational opportunities for students at all levels.

You may call your Senators TOLL-FREE at 1-800-839-5276. Or identify and send your Member of Congress a letter through the legislative action center at:
<http://capwiz.com/ala/home/>


Visit ALA's website for more information and talking points on these critical programs:
<http://www.ala.org/ala/washoff/WOissues/washfunding/funding.htm>



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Remember: You Can Call Any MEMBER OF CONGRESS Toll-Free: 1-800-839-5276
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ALA Washington Office, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 403, Washington, D.C. 20004-1701; phone: 202.628.8410 or 800.941.8478 toll-free; fax: 202.628.8419; e-mail: alawash@alawash.org; Web site: http://www.ala.org/washoff.  Executive Director: Emily Sheketoff. Office of Government Relations: Lynne Bradley, Director; Carol Ashworth, Don Essex, Joshua Farrelman, Erin Haggerty, Patrice McDermott and Miriam Nisbet. Office for Information Technology Policy: Rick Weingarten, Director; Carrie Lowe, Kathy Mitchell, Carrie Russell. ALAWON Editor: Bernadette Murphy.