Federal Library Funding Frozen, as Expected, in President's Budget
LSTA would be $214 million; ALA dismayed
Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 02/01/2010
- Announced freeze on discretionary funding
- Slight boost for leadership grants, dip for Laura Bush grants
- ALA calls it shortsighted
- ALA thinks federal boost could restore services
It should come as no surprise, given President Barack Obama's promised freeze on most non-security discretionary funding, that Obama's FY2011 Budget Proposal to Congress would level-fund federal library support under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) at $214 million.
Still, the American Library Association (ALA) suggests that's an unwise idea. “During this time of hoped-for economic recovery, public libraries are one of the greatest tools our nation has, and a lack of federal support jeopardizes this critical institution,” President Camila Alire said in a news release. “President Obama often speaks about helping America get back to work, and libraries are critical access points to information and resources that are helping job-seekers every day. Unfortunately, countless libraries in our country are suffering from state budget cuts that have resulted in staff loss, reduced hours, or even closures."
She suggested there was room for a federal boost: "Federal funding may be a small percentage of the funding America’s libraries receive, but it is critical. The ALA calls on Congress to support America’s libraries by not only restoring the funding lost to libraries in the President’s budget proposal but by increasing the funding, which is desperately needed.”
State grants same, other programs tweaked
The budget request includes the same amount in state grants as last year: $172,561,000, according to the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
However, the amount allocated for National Leadership Grants, which support research and innovation, would rise from $12,437,000 to $14,000,000, while the amount for Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grants, which support library education, would dip from $24,525,000 to $22,962,000.
Other federal boost
The federal stimulus package passed last year included $7.2 billion for broadband, of which hundreds of millions of dollars likely will wind up supporting library connectivity. Also, ALA hopes library jobs could get a major boost in the Jobs for Main Street Act.
No funds for school libraries
While the proposed budget includes $400 billion for education, it lacks specific funds for school libraries, another gap that Alire said should be recognized and filled.
