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( This showed up in my email and, since it doesn’t appear to be on the web yet, I thought I would share it here. -Ahniwa )

The economic downturn continues to impact state budgets in general, and public library budgets in particular. The Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study team is well aware of the urgent need for useful, current data to support your outreach during the current legislative sessions. In response to your feedback, we have accelerated the turnaround of the survey responses received in November 2010, and created an advocacy package that you can use immediately.

Following are the new resources, with hyperlinks:

• Topic Handouts (color graphics comparing your state vs. national, using new 2010-2011 study data)
  • Public Libraries & Employment
  • Public Libraries & E-Government
• Press Release template (marked “New”)
• Op-Ed template (marked “New”)
• *Coming Soon* State Profiles (PDF) : Selected 2010-2011 study data comparing national and state levels (e.g., speed of connectivity, average # of workstations) as well as other state-level resources. *ETA, March 1*

The new topic handouts available at http://plinternetsurvey.org/?q=node/31. There you will also find state profiles using the 2009-2010 survey data that will be updated in March 2011. These are based on preliminary analysis and there may be some changes to the figures reported when the final report is issued in June 2011.

The press release and op-ed templates can be easily customized for media targets at the state, regional, and local levels. Consider submitting your press release or op-ed early in the week leading into Presidents Day weekend (Feb. 19-21). Baring any large-scale breaking news, the timing increases the chance of placement, particularly with State Capital media.