[Libs-Or] Information: President’s budget freezes library funding, omits school libraries from education increase

[Diedre Conkling]

President’s budget freezes library funding, omits school libraries from
education increase <http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=4336>
February 01, 2010 ( 1
Comment<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=4336#comments>)

Contact: Jenni Terry
Press Officer
ALA Washington Office
   *       *  *  (202) 628-8410 **      *  (202) 628-8410
jterry at alawash.org

For Immediate Release

February 1, 2010

President’s budget freezes library funding, omits school libraries from
education increase

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Obama today released his FY2011 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.

As Americans deal with the weakened economy, they are using their libraries
more than ever before, visiting them over 119 million times each month.
American Library Association (ALA) President Camila Alire said freezing
federal funding for libraries at this time of increased demand will hinder
libraries from serving job-seekers, who are flocking to the library for help
with online job searching and applications, resume writing, computer classes
and much more.

“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,” Alire said.

“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. 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 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.”

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.

“It is alarming that the President did not recognize the value of school
libraries in today’s schools and include them in this effort to improve
education,” Alire said.

“Research repeatedly shows that a well-funded and fully staffed school
library program with a state-licensed school librarian is an integral
component of a student’s education.”

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 http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=4336



-- 
Diedre Conkling
Lincoln County Library District
P.O. Box 2027
Newport, OR  97365
Work phone & fax:  541-265-3066
Work email:  diedre at beachbooks.org
Home email:  diedre08 at gmail.com
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