ALERT: Reinstate RIF’s Funding!
February 5th, 2010
On February 1, President Obama released his proposed FY2011 budget which eliminates the funding for Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and its nationwide services. Without this federal funding, over 4.4 million children and families will not receive free books or reading encouragement from RIF programs at nearly 17,000 locations throughout the U.S.
Unless Congress reinstates $25 million in funding for this program, RIF will not be able to distribute 15 million books annually to the nation’s children at greatest risk for academic failure. RIF programs in schools, community centers, hospitals, military bases, and other locations serving children from low-income families, children with disabilities, homeless children, and children without adequate access to libraries. The Inexpensive Book Distribution program is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (SEC.5451 Inexpensive Book Distribution Program for Reading Motivation) and is not funded through earmarks. It has been funded by Congress and six Administrations without interruption since 1975.
Since its founding in 1966, RIF has played a critical role in improving literacy in this country by providing new, free books for children to keep and build home libraries. Access to books and the power of choice ignite children’s hunger for knowledge and a passion for learning. In addition, research has shown that children who have more access to books not only perform better academically, but also become productive individuals whose contributions help create strong communities. On behalf of RIF and its network of over 400,000 volunteers nationwide, I urge all Americans to contact their congressional representatives and ask them to reinstate funding for this vital program.
Filed under: RIF Advocacy, RIF Government Relations
Tags: Congress, Funding, Reading Is Fundamental, reinstate, save
4 Comments Add your own
1. Colleen | February 5th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Carol: I have a question about this program. Is there coordination between RIF and other programs on where books are sent? I mean is there some way for a group who wanted to run a book wishlist for needy kids or donate a ton of ARCs, etc to contact RIF and determine what place in their area has been designated “needy” so they could help them out?
I’m thinking about this because it seems there are a lot of groups that give books away. (I’m working on the Teen Book Drop wishlists for the readergirlz right now.) And yet – we never know what everyone else is doing. So I can’t help but think there are some places that get a lot (I know I donate a couple hundred new books every three mons to Children’s Hosp in Seattle just myself) and some places the probably get little or nothing.
Do you all have a database on the places you help? I’m not disputing the significance of it at all; I’m wondering if there’ s any way to piggy back off it. Also, how does RIF determine places that are “needy”?
2. tanita | February 9th, 2010 at 7:49 am
This Congressional cut really, really, really depresses me. I keep hoping that if there’s a cut here, there’s going to be a “give,” an addition, somewhere else. But I’m not seeing it, and I think this is a BIG MISTAKE.
3. Carol Rasco | February 9th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Colleen, I have finally reached one of my destinations for this week and will write you when free tomorrow…wow, weather can sure do a number on schedules!
Tanita, thank you for this strong statement of support for RIF, I really appreciate it!
4. Carol Rasco | February 9th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
TO JOHN R. who left me a message: I tried to email you but to no avail; I am eager to learn more and to discuss your concerns, please drop me a note to crasco@rif.org. Thank you!
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