Monday, June 13, 2011

URGENT: Internet Access at the library in DANGER


People rely on the Internet at the Racine Public Library to apply for jobs, send resumes, check on the status of their applications, send and receive email regarding employment, and pursue continuing education opportunities. In 2010 there were 60,930 Internet sessions. January through May 2011 there have been 24,809 sessions.

Internet access throughout the state of Wisconsin would be severely limited by Sections 23-26 of the Omnibus Motion to the UW System Budget Bill as passed by the Joint Finance Committee. This bill will cut the innumerable services which public libraries, UW System libraries, and school libraries provide to citizens of the state of Wisconsin.

  • Access to broadband Internet through WiscNet is crucial to public and school libraries and library users across the state of Wisconsin;
  • If this bill passes, public libraries, as well as UW System libraries, private colleges and university libraries, K-12 libraries, special libraries, local historical societies and museums, hospitals, local municipalities and other public offices will be severely hindered in providing affordable and outstanding bandwidth Internet access to their users;
  • Because the cost would skyrocket, the passage of Sections 23-26 of the Omnibus Motion to the UW System Budget Bill, will have crippling effects on our collaborative services such as on-site Internet access and services to visitors, "universal borrowing" for all collections, high-speed interlibrary services, and cooperative purchasing of databases and electronic resources.

We count on your support so the library can continue to provide these valuable services.

State elected officials will vote on this on Tuesday, June 14, 2011. Contact information:

Rep. Robin Vos (888) 534-0063 Rep.Vos@Iegis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Bob Turner (888) 529-0061 rep.turner@legis.state.wi.gov
Cory Mason (888) 534-0062 Cory.Mason@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen. Van Wanggaard (866) 615-7510, Sen.Wanggaard@legis.wisconsin.gov

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