WILLIAMS DONATES ANNUAL SALARY INCREASE TO LIBRARIES

Harrisburg, Nov. 24, 2003 – Following the recent announcement of an annual cost-of-living adjustment for state legislators that will take effect on Dec. 1, state Sen. Connie Williams said she would donate all of the 2.4 percent increase she is slated to receive to her local library systems.

“Libraries are such an important part of our local communities. They provide valuable resources for people at every stage of their life,” Williams said.

Williams, who is a strong supporter of libraries, said she continues to advocate for restoration of funding for this and other valuable programs in the state budget.

“This is a tough budget year for Pennsylvania and as I work with my colleagues to try to restore funding that was cut or severely reduced during the premature budget vote earlier this year, I feel that donating my salary increase is the right thing to do,” Williams said.

Williams represents the 17th Senatorial District, which includes the townships of East Norriton, Haverford, Lower Merion, Plymouth, Radnor and Upper Merion and the boroughs of Bridgeport, Conshohocken, Narberth, Norristown and West Conshohocken. She said that she would divide the cost-of-living increase among the library systems in those communities.

Additionally, Williams is planning the second annual Librarian Recognition Awards and will soon be accepting applications for Librarian of the Year. For 2004, both a school librarian and a public librarian will be selected and honored.

Williams created the program last year to recognize librarians working in a public or school library in the 17th Senatorial District and to draw attention to the community service librarians provide to local schools and communities.

Marcia Pentz of Radnor Middle School was the first award recipient and was selected for her outstanding service, commitment and dedication to her community.

As part of the 2004 competition, any member of the community can nominate both a school librarian and a community librarian. Librarians should be nominated based on their overall service including any special programs they may have created or improved, their knowledge of their facility and resources, and their commitment to helping the public.

“I received such glowing recommendations of so many librarians during the first year of the contest,” Williams said. “So many people wrote about the librarian in their community or in their school that went above and beyond the call of duty for them. The contest also illustrated the important resources libraries provide to students and to adults.”

This year’s Librarian of the Year awards will be presented during National Library Week, April 18-24.

For more information about the contest call either of Williams’ offices at (610) 992-9790 or (610)853-5433.