----- Original Message ----- From: Marsha To: <[email protected] Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 12:08 PM Subject: Re: Closing of the state library Laura, First of all, thank you for asking. Yes, I would be happy to share my thoughts but please edit the email address. Thanks and good luck with your worthy campaign. Marsha Marsha, If I take off your email address, can I please have permission to share your letter? I normally am not real political, but this action on the part of a governor who supposedly supports reading and education is uncalled for and the general public deserves to know what is going on so they can speak out. Thanks for your input, and I will respect your decision, what ever it may be. Laura ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marsha" To: "Joe & Laura Schmidt" <[email protected] Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2002 9:06 PM Subject: RE: Closing of the state library Thanks Laura for alerting others to this important cause. I take care of the state documents for Mid-Columbia Library because we are a depository for all state agency produced documents. Most people are unaware of the importance of these slender pamphlets and flyers that range from Washington State Ferry Schedules to voters' pamphlets, to the Washington State Almanac. If? When? Gov. Locke closes the WSL patrons will no longer have the opportunity to review this information at the depository libraries. I fear that our local libraries will no longer have matching funds and product (data base) evaluation from the WSL. That will impact our ability to do reference at the information desk and will impact our ILL (interlibrary loan) capabilities. The cost of most library data bases is prohibitive, but with funding from the WSL, even small branches have the opportunity to use these important sources of information. As a library employee and a friend of WSL staff who face termination, I implore our patrons to speak to their legislators on behalf of the WSL. Haven't they endured enough in the past 12 months? First an earthquake demolished their offices, then they were forced to move from their home and they've barely relocated, now Locke tells them they are no longer needed. I completely disagree. Marsha Information Services Mid-Columbia Library Kennewick Branch