House Committee Prohibits Closure
of Military Libraries
The U.S. House National Security Committee approved language in next year's defense authorization bill May 5 that would prohibit shutting down libraries at military installations unless the base itself is closed.
Jacksonville's Florida Times-Union Web site reported May 6 that to save costs the Navy has closed 10 libraries and the Army one in the past year.
"I think what the Navy's done is they've just said, 'OK, we have to save money. What are some easy ways to do it? Let's close libraries,'" said Rep. Tillie Fowler (R-Fla.). Fowler said the services should look for creative solutions, such as letting private companies run the libraries, as the Air Force has done.
The newspaper reported it was uncertain whether the bill would apply to libraries that have already been closed, but a spokeswoman for Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.) said he hopes the military "will respect the guidance from Congress on the issue."
Posted May 18, 1998.
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