Libraries in New York don’t have high-powered lobbyists with deep pockets to advocate on our behalf (our PAC  is new and has shallow pockets).  We rely on committed citizens to defend against funding cuts by contacting legislators directly.  On Tuesday, March 2, you are invited to join library advocates taking a bus to Albany to meet our local state legislators in their offices at the state capital.  The more people that turn out, the stronger our impact will be. The bus and appointments are all arranged by the New York Library Association (NYLA).  I have a few free bus tickets donated by the Friends of the Marlboro Free Library.  The bus will be leaving Thruway Exit 18 parking lot at 8:30 a.m. 

If you are interested in getting involved in politics at the grassroots level, please contact me at director@marlborolibrary.org and reserve a seat. If you are unable to attend, there are other things you can do:

1) On March 2, call or email Assemblyman Frank Skartados and Senator William J. Larkin, Jr.

2) If you’re not the advocate type, tell a friend who is.  Yes, librarians for once are looking for people who can make some noise!

3) Write a letter to the editor or an op-ed piece  for you local newspaper explaining how important libraries are to you.

Together we can keep the politicians from taking the heart out of our community.