I am not a resident of your district. I am not even a resident of the State of Virginia. My ties to the state, however, date from my mother's birth in Richardsville, and then all the way back to Jamestown. I am one of those darn genealogists. I know that many of the cuts affecting the Library of Virginia are already in place, and very little can be done to reverse them. But I wanted to make sure that you knew that LOV is the reason that I spent over a week in Virginia last year, and am planning to spend a week there this year. My money is new money to Virginia, as is the money spent by many more genealogists. When you are contemplating additional cuts, make sure you consider that the Library of Virginia brings in money, not just spends it. I am sure that an economist could make some estimate from the use records of the Library just how much money the Library brings to the state, even if it does not reflect directly on the Library's books. I implore you take my spending, and the spending of all of the other genealogists who have roots in Virginia, into account when any additional cuts to the Library are contemplated. And maybe consider reversing some of the current cuts. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope your Christmas is a wonderful and joyous occasion, and may your new year be as bright as the lone star that led the wise men on the first Christmas night. Merry Christmas. May many blessings touch you and yours this holiday season. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Deb Koplen koplend@swbell.net http://home.swbell.net/koplend/