Please: Help tell the 'library story' to our Iowa Legislators

The plants at the library have requested that we find a Plant Nanny for them. While librarians love plants, we do tend to forget about the necessary tending of them. Before any of us realize it, the poor plants are drooping, changing color, losing leaves, and ---well, you get the picture. So-we are looking for a volunteer Plant Nanny. If you have a green thumb and would like to share it with our plants, please contact Claudia or Sheila. The library will supply all plant materials, if someone will just "nanny" them! Please???

The State Library and regional Library Service Areas held several workshops/meetings during the month of September. "Telling the Library Story" was the focus of these meetings-and that is the Iowa Library Association slogan for this year.

The Iowa Library Association Governmental Affairs Committee has laid the groundwork for telling the "Library Story" to our legislators. The Committee developed a questionnaire about library issues and sent it to every major party candidate for governor, senator and representative.

Forty-four candidates returned the questionnaire. One candidate from this area responded. Your Representative Delores Mertz who is a strong library supporter answered the questions as follows:

1. Are you a library user? Please tell us how your library makes a difference in your life. "Yes-It is always available when I need it. It is a great resource for my community and me."
2. What book have you read recently that you'd like to share with others? "---"
3. Do you support reinstating in the Iowa code the requirement for a certified library media specialist in each attendance center? "Yes-This was an oversight in a bill a few years ago-I have tried on several occasions to get this reinstated-I will keep on trying to do this-we need this and it should be done."
4. What is your commitment to restoring funding to the State Library, the Library Service Areas and to fully funding Enrich Iowa? "I am a strong supporter of libraries. I have worked hard to keep this funding. I worked very hand in the past to keep this out of the Education budget-but to no avail. We need to fully fund Enrich Iowa. I have sponsored and co-sponsored several amendments to do this and will continue to do so."
5. What role should libraries play in making a better future for Iowans? "Libraries do a great job. I can't think of anything else they should do-except toot their horn a little louder. I really believe they are the best kept secret communities have. I appreciate the way my libraries keep me posted on the happenings in their libraries."

Thanks for your continued library support, Delores!

Library users need to be aware that library funding is in danger of being cut even more by the legislators. The past legislative session caused large financial cuts in the state and regional libraries. Also, the Enrich Iowa program has never been fully funded as it should have been. Yet, libraries strive to serve their patrons with less state funding each year. Your library has not yet received its state funding for this Fiscal Year, but we know that it will definitely be less than last year's amount. We have diligently followed the requirements to be eligible for this funding-in fact we are at the most qualified level. Now it is time for the payback! Legislators need to be aware that libraries are important to communities.

Yes the "Library Story" needs to be told and with your help we'll do just that!