Let’s Get Agitated, Part 2…

Writing! by Markus Rödder, via Flickr

So, a number of you have looked at the post. Yay! Way to spread the word, everybody! Now, though, we need to do something about it. I have privately (since no one seemed determined enough to publicly comment on the post) been asked to come up with a draft letter to send to your MPP’s, the Minister of Education, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, cc. Minister of Tourism & Culture - Michael Chan – or the Premier. 

In this regard, I have two things for you. First, is advice on writing your own letter, which should include the following: 

• Introduce yourself and state why you are writing the letter — “As the chair of the Readalot Library Board, I am asking that you continue to fund the Knowledge Ontario programs to ensure its future.”
• Support your request in one or two paragraphs — answer “why should the KO and AskON funding be extended?”
• “Thank you for your consideration of my request”
• Be sure to include your phone number or email address along with your mailing address Handwritten is fine (if it’s legible!)

The second thing that I have for you comes from a friend of mine, Erika Heesen (hope she doesn’t mind being mentioned!) and it is a draft letter that you could use, steal lines from, make your own, etc. Here’s what we got so far: 

Dear YOUR MPP / Hon. Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education / Hon. John Milloy
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities &
Minister of Research and Innovation / Hon. Michael Chan Minister of Tourism and Culture / Premier Dalton McGuinty 

I am extremely concerned to discover that the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture has announced that they will be providing no additional funding for Knowledge Ontario beyond December 2010. 

Knowledge Ontario is an organization that offers collaboration, a culture of creativity and the use of leading edge digital technology to fill the information and learning needs of the people of Ontario, nurturing their full and equal participation in our province’s life, culture and future. This means that the cross-sector collaboration and services developed through the unique Knowledge Ontario partnership is in jeopardy. Without the funds necessary to sustain these highly valued services, all database licenses negotiated through Knowledge Ontario are set to expire in December 2010. All other Knowledge Ontario initiatives are also at risk. These include the Our Ontario discovery portal and digital tool sets; AskOntario’s research help services askON and ONdemande; Learn Ontario’s technology help tutorials and focus on digital literacy; and Connect Ontario’s provincial partnership with BiblioCommons to transform the public library user’s online experience. Many opportunities to leverage cross-sector and province-wide benefits and cost efficiencies will also be lost (Knowledge Ontario, 2010). 

Knowledge Ontario and its partners provide a vital service to the residents of Ontario, and continued funding of this initiative should be a priority of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. 

Please let me know what steps you are taking to ensure the continued success of this essential service and its provision of province-wide access to information. My vote in the next election will very much depend on your response.  I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, 

If you have any suggestions for what else could be included, please comment on this post, or in the previous one. 

Oh! And, thanks so much for taking the time on this…