The House has passed a budget which includes an amendment for restoration of library funding (instead of the 30% cut Governor Rendell has proposed). However, the Senate removed that amendment and proposed one that reduces the cut by only a little more (25%). The House and Senate will continue to pass the budget back and forth until a compromise is reached, probably in a closed-door session sometime in June. We've been told over and over that we must keep the letters and cards coming. Please help!

Pennsylvania's public libraries are critical to education (preschool through senior) AND to economic development (technology skills, access to computers, resume, job-seeking). These are the messages that our legislators need to hear, again and again. So we're asking you once again--please write and ask that state library funding be FULLY restored for 2005!

Here are the addresses to use:

• Governor Ed Rendell - 225 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg PA 17120
• Honorable John M. Perzel, Speaker - PA House of Representatives, 139 Main Capitol, House Box 202020, Harrisburg PA 17120
• Honorable Samuel H. Smith, Majority Leader - PA House of Representatives, House Box 202020, Harrisburg PA 17120
• Honorable David Argall, Chairman House Appropriations Committee - PA House of Representatives, 245 Main Capitol, House Box 202020, Harrsiburg PA 17120
• Senator Roger Madigan - Senate Box 203023, 286 Capitol Building, Harrisburg PA 17120
• Senator Charles Lemmond - Senate Box 203020, 178 Capitol Building, Harrisburg PA 17120
• Representative Tina Pickett - PA House of Representatives, House Box 202020, Harrisburg PA 17120
• Representative Sandra J. Major - PA House of Representatives, House Box 202020, Harrisburg PA 17120