Bush Budget Boosts Recruitment,
Funds School Libraries
The Bush administration’s fiscal year 2003 budget, released February 4, includes $210.7 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, $181.7 million of which is for the Office of Library Services. The amount for libraries is $13 million more than FY2002, but it no longer contains the set-asides included in last year’s budget for specific projects requested by legislators. The IMLS budget proposal also includes the $10-million national initiative to recruit and train library professionals announced in January.
“This increase will allow more libraries to help communities recover from the recession,”ALA Washington Office Director Emily Sheketoff. “Many libraries in big and small cities provide online services for filing resumes and jobs banks for help in finding positions.”
Funding for school library materials under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act would be set at $12 million, the same amount as FY2002.
The House Subcommittee on Select Education has scheduled a hearing on reauthorization of the Library Services and Technology Act for February 14.
Posted February 11, 2002.
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