<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div style="text-align:center"><span id="m_7362919320802086974gmail-docs-internal-guid-b34eb94a-7fff-7896-a3e8-7f57c97d7589"><span style="border:none;display:inline-block;overflow:hidden;width:528px;height:159px"><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXewexrWvYreUO8h_L-DBwQyxdyATkMFQitDaqtRBrV0ByDzsEHdCWQVXPG-8S9lbcC1yNNYBHqK33M2lRCa-TTMfoHbNKnKSTFaBo7wSW1_JHvx1DglQDY4Vxspfflbbw2JYoO5Pw?key=n0e1Rf1AO9hXQ3oci62HPjAm" width="528" height="159" style="margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px"></span></span></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif">Colleagues and Friends, </font></div><div dir="ltr"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Last night, we received word that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Grants to States Program has been cancelled. This action withdraws 85% of the federally appropriated aid to the New York State Library and Division of Library Development (DLD). The consequences of this decision will be profound, including a significant impact on all of Suffolk’s libraries and by extension, our professions, patrons, communities.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br>As we learn more about the local implications, we will share updates. But right now, we must respond.<br><br>The SCLA Executive Board has issued an official statement on behalf of The Association. The statement is attached to this email and will be on our website shortly. We urge you to read it - and more importantly, to take action.<br><br><b>Contact Your Representatives Today</b><br>We strongly encourage you to reach out to the following individuals, especially if you are a constituent. Tell them what libraries mean to you, and why this funding must be restored. </font></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><b><font face="arial, sans-serif">Call, write, and email</font></b></div><div><span id="m_7362919320802086974gmail-docs-internal-guid-8f02069e-7fff-9a21-b46c-19438c864d80"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-left:0pt" align="left"><font face="arial, sans-serif"></font><table style="border:none;border-collapse:collapse;table-layout:fixed;width:468pt"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:0pt"><td style="border-width:1pt;border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(0,0,0);vertical-align:top;padding:5pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Andrew Garbarino       </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">31 Oak Street Suite 20</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Patchogue, NY  11772</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Phone: (631) 541-4225</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://garbarino.house.gov/contact" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">https://garbarino.house.gov/contact</span></a><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> </span></p></td><td style="border-width:1pt;border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(0,0,0);vertical-align:top;padding:5pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Nicholas LaLota</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">515 Hauppauge Road Suite 3B</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Hauppauge, NY  11788</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Phone: (631) 289-1097</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><a href="https://lalota.house.gov/contact" target="_blank">https://lalota.house.gov/contact </a></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br><br><b>What Should You Say?</b><br></font><ul><li style="margin-left:15px"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Share your name and contact information.</font></li><li style="margin-left:15px"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Say that you are a constituent and that you care deeply about libraries.</font></li><li style="margin-left:15px"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Be brief, direct, and authentic.</font></li><li style="margin-left:15px"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Add a personal story if you have one.</font></li><li style="margin-left:15px"><font face="arial, sans-serif">If calling, prepare your message ahead of time.</font></li></ul><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br><b>Why This Matters</b><br>Here’s what is now possibly at risk with the loss of this funding:<br><br></font><ul><li style="margin-left:15px"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>NOVEL NY Databases: </b>Resources like Opposing Viewpoints, Academic OneFile, and Britannica - used by students, educators, and job seekers.</font></li><li style="margin-left:15px"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Library Construction Aid:</b> Critical funding for libraries to make buildings ADA-compliant and meet the needs of growing communities could disappear.</font></li><li style="margin-left:15px"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Training and Consulting: </b>Staff at the NYS Library provide expert support in areas like records management, and l</font>ibrary staff can request training or consult with staff to understand their obligations.</li><li style="margin-left:15px"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Library Systems and Resource Councils: </b></font>23 Library Systems and 9 Resource Councils in the State rely on aid from the NYS and DLD to keep their doors open. These entities provide programs and support to the 756 public libraries in the state in areas like eBook and electronic resources purchases, delivery of materials that libraries borrowed from other libraries, and professional resources.  </li></ul><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br><b>Our Message Is Simple</b><br>“Libraries are essential to me, my family, and my community - we vote, and we want this funding restored. Do what you must to reverse these cuts.”<br><br>We know that these are uncertain times, but these times require action. Raise your voice and tell everyone that our libraries are worth fighting for.</font></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif">Thank you for your time and attention. </font></div><div><br></div><div>On behalf of the Suffolk County Library Association Board, </div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif">Anthony Giansante</font></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif">SCLA President</font></div></div><div><div style="margin:5px 0px"><div id="m_7362919320802086974gmail-q_82" aria-label="Hide expanded content" aria-expanded="true" style="background-color:rgb(232,234,237);border:none;clear:both;line-height:6px;outline:none;width:24px;color:rgb(80,0,80);border-radius:5.5px"><div style="background:url("https://www.gstatic.com/images/icons/material/system_gm/1x/more_horiz_black_20dp.png") 50% 50%/20px no-repeat;height:11px;opacity:0.71;width:24px"></div></div></div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br></font><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><span><div dir="ltr" style="margin-left:0pt" align="left"><font face="arial, sans-serif"></font><table style="border:none;border-collapse:collapse"><colgroup><col width="96"><col width="429"></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:0pt"><td style="vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:none;display:inline-block;overflow:hidden;width:82px;height:94px"><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfYgTLhYr_4LMdoLXuHhOY8_Kzfs0re5Q2XldtDfOOtKSkm-urHwSW2IaHe8BJfLLgG_i6vbj35F1pZN7iAfQQ_9ByONEUEaE4hJOhTWHiqOWlDnPvNaehaIHqjyrtWtwMt2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