First Lady Laura Bush announced January 23 that President Bush’s FY 2004 budget will include $242 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, of which $210.7 million is earmarked for the Office of Library Services. The requested funding is $29 million more than Bush requested for library programs in FY 2003 and includes $20 million for librarian recruitment. “Along with our homes and schools, libraries and museums provide the strongest foundation for learning in our communities,” Mrs. Bush stated, noting that 58% of today’s librarians are projected to retire by 2019.
Folded into omnibus spending legislation, the FY 2003 IMLS budget was approved by the Senate January 23. Most federal agencies have been operating under temporary funding measures since the 2003 fiscal year began last October 1.
The librarian-recruitment funding is double the $10 million requested for FY 2003. IMLS Director Robert Martin said of the recruitment project, “In preparing to make the first grants for this initiative, we heard compelling stories about the need for librarians and a wealth of ideas for creative solutions. The library community is grateful to the President and Mrs. Bush for their commitment to learning and to libraries.”
Posted January 27, 2003.