The American Library Association (ALA) has called on the US Congress to restore the funding lost to libraries in the President’s budget proposal. President Barack Obama released his fiscal 2011 Budget Proposal to Congress, calling for a freeze to federal library funding under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the primary source of federal funding for libraries. Under the President’s plan, LSTA would be level-funded at $214 million.
It has been observed that as Americans deal with a weakened economy, they are using their libraries more than ever before, visiting them over 119 million times each month. ALA President Camila Alire has stated that freezing federal funding for libraries at this time of increased demand will hinder libraries from serving job-seekers. Users are seen flocking to the library for help with online job searching and applications, resume writing and computer classes.
Libraries in the US are already suffering from state budget cuts that have resulted in staff loss, reduced hours, or even closures. Many libraries have managed to efficiently use what little resources they have, but they are hanging on by a thread. Federal funding may be a small percentage of the funding America’s libraries receive, but it is critical. The ALA wants Congress to support America’s libraries by not only restoring the funding lost to libraries in the President’s budget proposal but also by increasing the funding, which is desperately needed.
The President’s budget also included a $400 billion investment into education but did not include specific funds for school libraries. Alire said the federal government should invest in school libraries to ensure every student graduates from high school with 21st century skills.
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