I found out this morning that the Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program has been cut out of the 2009 federal budget.

From their website:

"The President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2009 eliminates the Inexpensive Book Distribution Program, which is the RIF Book Distribution Program. Unless Congress reinstates funding for this program, RIF will be unable to distribute 16 million books annually to the nation's youngest and most at-risk children." (read more)

Aside from basic concerns about the need for a literate, educated population in a democracy: we writers won't find places for our books and stories if there aren't any readers. We need to do every little bit we can to battle illiteracy and aliteracy. RIF has a contact-your-congressperson page ... please take a moment to fill out the form. I'd really hate to see program go under.