As a native born Washingtonian currently living in Ward __, I have recently become enthused about the future of my public library. Through the efforts of the Friends of the Library and many of my neighbors, the word is spreading that it is time to restore our libraries. I am among an expanding list of faithful library users to support a strong City Council vote for the FY2005 that significantly increases the commitment over past budgets for the DC Public Library System.

I'm a card carrying library user who seeks a DC Public Library budget that provides the following:

1) Restored operating hours and staffing at all library branches to maximize use by those who need full access to the DCPL's wonderful resources.

2) Increased book budget and funding for updated public library materials.

3) Sufficient resources to begin addressing the distressing level of building facility deterioration among the branch libraries. I've visited several branches during the past few months and have personally seen unsafe conditions for heating/cooling, non-working restrooms, roof leaks, non-working elevators and unclean conditions. There are no potable water sources for the library staff in some branches and the non-working restrooms force the staff to find alternative working restrooms in nearby businesses.

Please let me know how you intend to vote on the DCPL budget so I can share this with my neighbors as a demonstration of your own commitment to keep the library from risk of collapse.

Sincerely,