Support Your Libraries, Support Your Communities

Thank you for meeting with library advocates and showing up for your libraries! Learn more about the ways your community's library is showing up for constituents - and the support libraries need to keep doing this work.

Library Priorities

In Fiscal Year 2027, library advocates are asking Congress to:

  • Fully fund the Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) at $232 million and sign the Dear Appropriator letter in support of LSTA.

  • Fully fund Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) at $50 million and sign the Dear Appropriator letter in support of IAL.

  • Protect and strengthen the E-Rate program with sustainable, predictable, and long-term funding.

Timely: Passport Acceptance Services in Nonprofit Libraries

In February 2026, the State Department announced that nonprofit public libraries would no longer be able to offer passport acceptance services, which tens of thousands of Americans have relied on, particularly in small and rural communities with few other in-person options. ALA strongly supports the proposed legislative fix in Congress (H.R.6997 / S.3733), which would allow nonprofit public libraries to continue offering these services.

Screenshot of a one-pager about library funding

Learn more about how federal funding supports libraries in every state.

Right to Read Act document

Learn about the Right to Read Act, new legislation to fully resource school libraries.

Prison Libraries Act preview

Read about the new Prison Libraries Act.

Learn more about...

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Library Services and Technology Act

The federal Institute of Museum & Library Services provides critical support to libraries and patrons in every state through the Library Services & Technology Act, bolstering library resources like tech skills training and early literacy programs.

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School Libraries

All across the country, school library programs help students thrive. The Innovative Approaches to Literacy grant program is enabling new strategies for cultivating successful, lifelong readers and learners.

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E-Rate and Digital Opportunity

Libraries play a vital role in connecting communities to high-speed, reliable internet. The E-Rate program has been a quiet powerhouse for decades, helping libraries and schools stay connected at an affordable price.