ALA welcomes passage of FY 2024 federal budget, braces for FY 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 federal budget signed into law by President Biden on Saturday, March 23, contained level funding for the two dedicated federal funding programs for America’s libraries. The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is the leading source of federal funding for America’s libraries; and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program, a Department of Education program, is designed to support school library literacy initiatives nationwide. Other library programs remain aligned with FY 2023 levels, with the exception of the Library of Congress and National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, which received modest increases.

“Throughout yet another congressional appropriations process with significant twists and turns, library advocates consistently spoke up,” said ALA President Emily Drabinski. “The FY 2024 federal budget, which includes no reductions to library funding, is a testament to their efforts.

“The White House FY 2025 budget proposal is a different story,” Drabinski said. “ALA is alarmed by cuts to IMLS funding. As we turn towards the FY 2025 budget process, we know we’re in for tough road ahead – everyone is. It’s up to us to make sure funding for America’s libraries is secure. The best way to do that is to tell our stories and show how resources are being used to meet needs in our communities.”

The FY 2024 federal budget process was stalled by partisan disagreement on various issues. Since October 2023, when the FY 2024 budget was set to take effect, the government has been operating under a series of Continuing Resolutions, which maintain all funding at FY 2023 funding levels.

The national #FundLibraries advocacy campaign for FY 2025 will launch as soon as the House and Senate Appropriations Committees announce their internal appropriations deadlines (expected in the coming weeks). Following the announcement, ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office team will work with congressional staff to circulate "Dear Appropriator" letters, addressed to members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, to request funding levels for LSTA and IAL. The circulation of these letters marks the first and most influential nationwide advocacy action on the federal budget each year, when tens of thousands of advocates will urge their members of Congress to sign the letters to show their support for federal funding for libraries. 

ALA provides advocacy resources for its annual #FundLibraries campaign, such as sample social media posts, how to engage congressional staff and congressional signing history on LSTA and IAL Dear Appropriator letters. For more information on the congressional appropriations process and advocacy tools, visit https://www.ala.org/advocacy/fund-libraries. Follow the Public Policy and Advocacy Office on X @LibraryPolicy for campaign updates.