FW: Project Vote Smart - Library Outreach Program

[Laurie Mahaffey]

This is a message from CTLS-L. Selecting "Reply" will send a message to the originator. Selecting "Reply to All" will send a message to the entire list. --------------------------------------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2004 5:47 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Project Vote Smart - Library Outreach Program   To our 2002 Library Partners:   Hello from Project Vote Smart! My name is Dan McCormick Doherty and I am in charge of our 2004 Library Outreach program. First of all, I'd like to thank you for participating in our program in 2002. During the 2002 election cycle, libraries made Project Vote Smart's publications and services available to a population of approximately 124,289,975 individuals that is quite an accomplishment and it would not have been possible without your help.   As you may have guessed, I am not writing this letter solely to thank you for your past participation. It is 2004, and once again Project Vote Smart is gearing up for an election year. We contacted you in March regarding participation in the 2004 program, and we are contacting you now to follow up one last time.   The gap between the ideal of democracy as intended by our country's founders and the reality of how today's political process works has never been wider. Anyone who turns on their TV during election season knows that the use of misinformation, distortion, and emotional but empty imagery is endemic to modern American political culture. Voters need information - untainted, well-organized, and truthful information, and you can help provide it to them.   I've attached a form to the end of this letter if you wish to participate in our Smart Voting Libraries program this year, simply fill it out and return it to me. You can send it over fax, mail, or email; that information is included at the end of this message as well. You will notice that the system for ordering publications is a little different this year. We are sending all of our Smart Voting Libraries an initial package containing the following items:   25 Voter's Self Defense Manuals - These manuals contain an 80 page sampling of information on your state's delegation to congress, including their contact information, campaign finances, voting records, and interest group ratings made on them by numerous conservative and liberal special interest groups. In addition, they contain instructions on how to easily access information on thousands of candidates for every office from President down to state legislature.   25 Brochures - These brochures will outline how your patrons can easily access and use the Voter's Self-Defense System through their local library or at home. The Voter's Self-Defense System allows them to instantly look up millions of relevant facts on thousands of candidates through the Project Vote Smart website www.vote-smart.org or our toll-free hotline at 888-VOTE SMART.   2 Posters - These colorful posters will help your library's patrons use the many free services of Project Vote Smart through your library including our voter registration assistance service.   Your participation in our Smart Voting Libraries program will ensure that your patrons have access to the information they need come November. If you want to participate in this program and receive these materials, please fill out the form below.   Keep in mind - the mailing is scheduled to go out in mid-July, and we will only be able to replenish your supply while materials are available, so try to anticipate your needs as best you can.   We are shipping the VSDMs and brochures in packs of 25 - so if you think you need 30, ask for 50. If your library has branches that will also need materials, please have them send their information to us separately. To receive the default package of 25 VSDMs, 25, brochures, and 2 posters, simply leave the additional materials fields blank. The deadline for turning in the form is June 11th. Please try to have your requests in to me by that date! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.   Dan McCormick Doherty Project Vote Smart [EMAIL PROTECTED] phone: 406.858.8683 fax: 406.859.8680 =====================================   Contact Person: __________ Library Name: __________ Address: __________ City/State: __________ Phone Number: __________ Fax Number: __________ Email: __________     Our Library will need additional amounts of the following publications in your July 19th mailing:   VSDM: __________ Brochure: _________ Poster: __________   Our Library will not use: (check which publications apply)   VSDM ____   Brochure ____     Poster____