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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Dear friends,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>As your NFBC Representative to the Braille Institute Library Advisory Committee. I felt it is important for you to be aware of the budget changes for the coming year to our only location for receiving books and magazines. We have an easy way to help make a change! Please read the message below and share with your blind friends who live in Southern California!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Joy Stigile<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>For any questions please call me at C: 818.510.2353<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>California is Cutting State Funding for the Braille Institute Library. We Need Your Help. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Without notice or explanation, the State of California recently cut all funding for the Braille Institute Library, which provides free access to braille and audiobooks for Southern California residents with blindness, low vision, and physical disabilities. Eliminating state support for our library is unprecedented, unfair, and needlessly punishes some of the most vulnerable residents of Southern California. In his preliminary budget proposal for 2020/21, Governor Newsom has proposed $500,000 to support our program. While this is a step in the right direction, it is less than 20% of what is required. We are the only National Library Service branch in the United States that relies so heavily on private donations. If this decision stands, Braille Institute library services will suffer. Southern Californians with visual impairments will have fewer books from which to choose, experience longer wait times, and have access to fewer opportunities to learn about new technology. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Here’s how you can protect Braille Institute Library in 2 minutes or less: Visit bit.ly/braillepetition or text BRAILLE to 52886 to sign our digital petition in support of funding for Braille Institute Library. We need to show state lawmakers that community support for our libraries is stronger than ever. It only takes a few clicks to make a difference.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_Hlk500160540"><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Myriad Pro";color:#002741'>Reed Strege</span></b></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk500160540'></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Myriad Pro";color:#002741'>Director of Library Services</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Myriad Pro"'>Braille Institute</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Myriad Pro";color:black'>741 North Vermont Avenue</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Myriad Pro";color:black'>Los Angeles, CA 90029</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Myriad Pro";color:black'>Ph. 323.906.3185</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Myriad Pro";color:#0000CC'><a href="mailto:rwstrege@brailleinstitute.org">rwstrege@brailleinstitute.org</a></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>