[Libs-Or] Fwd: [District Dispatch] ALA: Omnibus provides additional funding to libraries, will assist with recession-induced boon in usage

[Diedre Conkling]

ALA: Omnibus provides additional funding to libraries, will assist with
recession-induced boon in usage
<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=2313> March 11th, 2009
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=2313

Bill contains increase to Grants to State Library Agencies program

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
March 11, 2009

Contact: Jenni Terry <jterry at alawash.org>

*WASHINGTON, D.C.* – The American Library Association (ALA) says the FY 2009
Omnibus Appropriations bill, which passed the Senate last night and was
signed into law by President Obama this afternoon, is a victory for
libraries.

The $410 billion spending bill, which includes the nine unfinished
appropriations bills from last year, contains $171,500,000 for the Grants to
State Library Agencies program within the Library Services and Technology
Act (LSTA). This funding level is an increase of over $10 million from last
year and also allows for full implementation of a 2003 law to provide a more
equitable distribution of state formula grants.

ALA President Jim Rettig said this additional state funding will provide
much-needed assistance to our nation’s libraries that are experiencing a
spike in usage during the recession.

*“Last year, libraries hosted more than 1.3 billion visits and are now
averaging 175 million visits a month,”* Rettig said.

*“As Americans deal with the weakened economy, they are turning to their
libraries more and more – not just for no-fee access to the Internet and
free books, CDs and DVDs – but also for assistance with online job
searching, resume building, 21st century job skills training, and
e-government. We want to thank Congress and the White House for recognizing
the need to fund libraries at the full level of the LSTA, especially during
this time when Americans need their libraries more than ever.”*

Rettig credited many members of Congress with working to ensure this funding
was secured, and he especially thanked U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), whose
leadership was essential to reaching this funding level.

*“Libraries have always been a place where the community can come together,
a source of common ground,”* Reed said.

*“Today, more and more job seekers are turning to libraries for assistance
in their search. I have long advocated for this funding level because it is
the amount necessary to reach a key goal included in the 2003
reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act that I authored to
double the minimum State allotment.  This additional funding will help
libraries respond to the growing demand for free access to all types of
services and new technology.”*

The spending bill also included $607 million for the Library of Congress,
which includes $29 million to complete the transition of the Digital Talking
Books program for the blind. A chart with selected program funding levels
for libraries can be found
here<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/fy-2009-request-chart1.pdf>
.

For more information on how libraries are helping Americans during the
recession, go to www.ala.org/economynews.


-- 
Diedre Conkling
diedre08 at gmail.com
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