Kansas Libraries Grappling With New Federal Library Program Funding

Staff -- Library Journal, 4/20/1998

Kansas state library staff members are continuing in their struggle to convince the state legislature to allocate $509,000 to libraries to make up for money from federal grants that previously went to staff salaries and book budgets under the Library Services & Construction Act. The federal money, under the new Library Services & Technology Act, is now going to the federal priorities of providing for online technology, research databases, and local information services. "It's our annual battle for library funding, but it has a slightly different spin because we are moving deeper into LSTA," said Kansas State Librarian Duane Johnson. Johnson is enthusiastic about the changes in federal policy but says that the state still needs to make up the money that is being redistributed.

"Because of other pressing problems, the impact of the program changes is just now beginning to be processed by the state legislature," said Johnson. Although the governor has recommended an increase of $254,500 or half the money requested, Johnson is hoping that the state legislature will give them the full $509,000. Legislators are still discussing the issue and will vote on the budget in May. "The Kansas library community has communicated very well with the legislature. And we've seen a lot of understanding of library needs by members of the legislature, so we're optimistic."