Great Turnout for Library Legislative Day 2014!

State Representative Rob Swearingen

Library Legislative Day 2014 got off to great start this morning with a record number of attendees!

Participants heard from State Superintendent Tony Evers, State Representative Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) and State Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) before heading over to the State Capitol to meet with legislators.

Superintendent Evers officially kicked off the event and  gave attendees an update on the newly announced plan to upgrade broadband fiber in approximately 300 of the state's public libraries. And Rep. Swearingen and Sen. Shilling both talked about the need for continued investments in broadband technology throughout the state.

State Senator Jennifer Shilling

Swearingen, who chairs the Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools, called libraries the "nerve centers" of rural communities and said that the Task Force's final report will likely include funding recommendations to address challenges in rural schools.

Shilling talked about the importance of libraries in her family as well as in her community. She encouraged member of the library community to get involved in the legislative process and build strong relationships with their legislators.