All IMLS, LSTA Funding in Jeopardy
PrintA bill that is coming up for a vote this week in the House of Representatives calls for the elimination of all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding, including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding, for the remainder of FY2011.
Reaction to the introduction of Amendment 35 to the Continuing Resolution was swift. “To eliminate this vital federal agency would be a disservice to those families who have come to depend on their libraries,” declared Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association’s Washington Office. “LSTA funding provides needed support to establish statewide and regional services to help local libraries save money and meet the changing demands and needs of their communities.”
The ALA Washington Office has posted a link to its Capwiz email interface to facilitate library advocates contacting their congressional representatives to urge them to oppose Amendment 35 to the Continuing Resolution because:
- Libraries are essential to every community, and federal funding is critical for ensuring that library resources and services remain available to their constituents.
- LSTA supports all kinds of libraries including school, academic, and public libraries.
- Public libraries are the primary source of no-fee access to the internet and are active in assisting the public with online job searches, e-government services, and lifelong learning.
Sheketoff emphasized that loss of the funding would prevent libraries from continuing to “play an essential role in today’s communities, providing access to technology and the information people need to search for work and find jobs, apply for e-government services, and get homework help,” concluding that “the American public is poorly served if federal funding and library support are eliminated.”
Amendment 35 was submitted for House consideration by Rep. Scott Garrett (R–N.J.).
American Libraries, Tue, 02/15/2011 - 16:30
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Comments
cut 'em off
librarians can’t provide 21st century services. most of them can’t even use a computer or use an e-reader. enough of the knitting classes! no more money for librarians resistant to change!
libraries
Oops mispelled provide.
Thank you,
Dolores Moreno
Reliance, Wy.
:) Oh dear
I believe “mispelled” is spelled written “misspelled.” :) Oh, the world is wonderful.
I love my library btw, and the peeps that work there know how to use my Nook better than I do. Kudos to them.
Libraries
I work in a library in a small community and it gives the kids a place to go and do something. I privide crafts,and reading for story time and teen time, those kids would have no where to go without the library. Please keep funding the libraries, we need them!!!!
Dolores Moreno
library funding Amend 35
Please continue funding for libraries (re: Amendment 35).
Working in a library I see the large number of people utilizing the library for many reasons. All the more so in this economy, we need to support the American people with this resource.
Thank you.
Linda Dennison
Green River, WY
The Great Society - In Decline
Libraries were a part of the initial Great Society vision of the 60s. Although I was reading about “Dick and Jane” at the time, as an adult I’m attracted to the concept of building a society and an economy that works for all. Libraries are a strong component of this. Job seekers are coming into their libraries in tears, and walking out with a resume. Our fellow Americans who face really tough times are disconnecting their Internet service and utilizing their public library’s computers to apply for jobs.
We need to ask ourselves what kind of society do we want to see? A Great Society or a declining society? Where do we want to make an investment?
An investment in libraries is an investment in America.
Fabulously written. I agree,
Fabulously written. I agree, the library system is an absolutely wonderful resource; the 80’s were when people were suppose to learn how to use new technologies, however some people didn’t and now they need services like those found in libraries to update themselves, late as they are. There are all sorts of services that can be cut, but touching libraries is definitely not a wise move. What concerns me though, is a comment I agree with above.
Some librarians refuse to update themselves and become a burden. A library is for books and improving the mind, but all things in today’s society need multiple facets…
All in all, I hope, with much patriotism, that American society and economy can pick itself up, and realize the rights from the wrongs.
Do your part
Ok ALA has started things off well here; they created a decent letter and make it SUPER EASY to send off. I already sent two and added my own respectful but essential content. Anyone who works in the library industry, has used or plans to use a library again in their lifetime or wants to live in a respectable community should take the 60 seconds it takes to send this off. You do not even need to know your Congressperson; ALA sends it to the right person. Promo this on FB, Twitter, email, etc. So simple but truly effective. DO YOUR PART; if you visit the ALA site this is your duty! Do your one good deed for the year then reward yourself !!
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