Political Quotes

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Senate Bill 3984, which reauthorizes the Museum and Library Services Act. This bipartisan bill updates the MLSA to better reflect the role that libraries and museums play in our Nation's communities, and it ensures the preservation of collections for future generations. Our Nation's libraries serve an important role in providing our communities with free access to all types of information and telecommunications services. During these difficult economic times, libraries are a lifeline to many without home access to computers or to the Internet in order to search for employment, to conduct research, or to access training resources. According to the American Library Association, two-thirds of our Nation's libraries report that they provide the only free access to computers and the Internet in their communities. Within the last 2 years, libraries have experienced significant increases in demands for services, including helping patrons complete online job applications, creating resumes, and accessing job databases. This bill will enable libraries to continue offering these critical services to the American people. The Senate bill will also help the Institute of Museum and Library Services to encourage more collaboration between agencies and programs to promote family literacy, technology education, and workforce development.…”