UPDATE ON THE RURAL LIBRARY ENDOWMENT

By Jessie Emerson
Shel Neymark gave a short talk at our Luncheon when the legislature was in session. We were encouraged to contact our representatives about the Rural Library Endowment. This would give the state’s libraries about $45,000 per year. He just reported that the bill passed unanimously in the House and was signed by the governor. Unfortunately it was only for $1 million instead of $50 million. Each library in the state will receive $900 per year. Shel thinks the prospects are good to get a significant amount added to it this year and thanks the New Mexico Book Association for its support. We can still support this worthy project by contacting our representatives and the governor. We learned at our May luncheon how far behind the other states we are in reading. As writers and publishers, we need readers! If our state is to progress, we need to increase literacy. If any one has any questions for Shel, he can be reached at shelneymark@windstream.net.