No Matter Who Comes to DC, ALA Warns of a “Very Tough Year”

Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 11/4/2008

• National stimulus plan unclear
• Will push on copyright, Patriot Act
• ALA calls for greater local and federal advocacy

As the nation votes for a new president, and numerous local and state races determine the power configuration of Congress, library supporters should remember that, whether red or blue predominates, it’s not going to be easy. “No matter who wins and no matter what happens in Congress, this is going to be a very tough year,” said Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Washington Office. “It’s going to demand of library supporters that they pay attention and be very active in talking to their elected officials, both local and federal.” 

(Sheketoff a bit more optimistically told sister publication School Library Journal she's confident Obama will continue his expressed support for libraries)

What are chances of Congress appropriating $100 million for libraries in stimulus funding, as ALA has suggested? “We have briefed both presidential candidates’ staff, and we’ve been talking to both the House and the Senate,” Sheketoff said. While all agree that libraries are playing an important role, especially in the economic downturn, “there is no consensus that there is going to be another economic stimulus bill.”

“So we have also been talking to Congressional staff about other ways we could make this assistance available,” Sheketoff added, suggesting the sum could be added to other bills under consideration.

What about ALA’s separate push for a federal boost in library construction funds? That hasn’t moved, Sheketoff acknowledged, “but that was nine months ago, and so much has happened since then. Should Congress decide that the way to jump-start the economy is to invest in infrastructure, that could become more viable.”

By November 5, she said, “Hopefully, we’ll know who’s going to lead the administration and how strong the voting majorities are going to be. But there are fundamental issues that are going to take a long time for them to decide. There’s real disagreement among allies. We’re just trying to be at the table and keep our issues as high up in the conversation as we can, so no matter how things move, we’ve got a proposal ready to go. But nobody’s willing to commit to anything; everybody’s waiting to see what happens, to see how the stock market reacts, and what’s going to happen in the rest of the world.”

“ALA is not pulling for anyone,” she said, in a nod to the organization’s nonprofit status. “We want leadership and want to make sure whoever is the president and the leaders in the House and Senate understand what an important part libraries play in this country. It’s more than just the resources. We’re going to be facing big questions about copyright. We’ll be asking Congress to look again at the Patriot Act. There are other privacy issues. The only way we’re going to be able to make changes is if we have vocal support.”

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