Program totals include $171.5 million for state grants, an increase of $7.8 million; $25 million for the Laura Bush 21st-Century Librarian Initiative, a $1.24-million increase; $12.9 million for the National Leadership Grants for libraries; $3.7 million for the Native American Library Services program; and $7.8 million for administrative costs.
“Federal support is critical now, as libraries struggle to do more with less,” said ALA President-Elect Leslie Burger. “These funds will help libraries serve their communities by offering after-school homework help, adult literacy, and ESL programs; expanding patron access to the World Wide Web and new information technologies; securing additional informational resources; and providing more library materials and programs.”
“This budget supports the development of people, programs, and services to enable libraries and museums to meet the changing needs of their communities,” said Mary L. Chute, acting director of IMLS.
The 2007 budget also proposed level funding for the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program, $30 million to revitalize the District of Columbia Public Library, and a plan to centralize federal library programs within IMLS.
However, among 141 other federal programs that President Bush wants to eliminate or cut significantly are money for the Environmental Protection Agency’s network of libraries for scientists, grants for safe and drug-free schools, vocational education, and reading programs for jailed young people. Bush has proposed eliminating them in earlier years, with Congress restoring them later. The Office of Management and Budget released a list of affected programs February 9.
Posted February 10, 2006.