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Ashcroft welcomes library staff, legislators on Library Advocacy Day

Jefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft welcomed library staff, advocates and Missouri legislators at today’s Library Advocacy Day, hosted at the Secretary of State’s Office.

Library Advocacy Day is an annual event that connects library staff and advocates with Missouri state representatives and senators to discuss the importance of libraries and the contributions they bring to the lives of Missourians.

“Library Advocacy Day is a great service to our state’s libraries and their patrons,” Ashcroft said. “In face-to-face conversations with Missouri lawmakers, library advocates can provide valuable information about their programs and services, and work toward getting the funding they need.”

State funding for Missouri’s public libraries, which had a total of 45.3 million in-person and online visits last year, has been cut 42 percent since FY2010. In fact, libraries are receiving just 20 percent of the funding required by state law in regard to the Athletes and Entertainers tax.

Ashcroft and Acting State Librarian Debbie Musselman spoke at the event, along with Missouri Library Association President April Roy, Legislative Advocate Randy Scherr and Legislative Committee Chair Gerald Brooks.

The Secretary of State’s State Library supports libraries statewide through continuing education programs and the development of services, activities and resource-sharing among Missouri’s libraries. For more information on the library development work done by the State Library, visit www.sos.mo.gov/library.