The American Library Association (ALA) Praises the Passage of Senate Bill to Increase Funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) to $232 Million

Contact: Frank DiFulvio


202-628-8410

For Immediate Release


August 1, 2003

The American Library Association (ALA) Praises the Passage of Senate Bill to Increase Funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) to $232 Million

“Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), Chair of the Senate Education Committee, diligently worked together to come up with a bi-partisan compromise to increase library funding”

(Washington D.C.) – The United States Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bi-partisan bill today sponsored by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), the Chair of the Senate Education Committee, to increase funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA),
under theInstitute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), to $232 million for libraries. The bill also provides $38.6 million for the Museum Services Act, bringing thetotal funding amount for Libraries and Museums to $270.6 million.

LSTA is the only federal program exclusively created for libraries, and is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The law's definition of a library includes institutions of all types and sizes, such as public, academic, research, school, state, and even digital libraries. The law includes grants for Native American and Native Hawaiian library services, as well as National Leadership grants aimed at education and training, research and demonstration projects, the preservation of library materials, and model projects between libraries and museums.

Today’s library is not simply a place where books are read and borrowed. It is a place where a love for reading is born and renewed again and again, and where information is sought and discovered,” said Senator Reed. “That is why I am proud to continue in the tradition of my predecessor, Senator Pell, by once again showing my support for libraries by helping to pass this very important piece of
legislation in the Senate today,” he concluded.

“Besides being a place to enjoy the company of a good book, libraries today also provides comprehensive services to meet the needs of their communities and people of all ages – including providing free Internet access, family literacy classes, homework help, mentoring programs, English as a Second Language classes, job training, and writing workshops,” said ALA Washington Office Executive Director Emily Sheketoff. “It is clear that Senator Reed and Senator Gregg understand this new and important role that libraries play in our communities across the country, and that is why ALA applauds both Senators Reed and Gregg for working so hard for Senate passage of this bill, which once again highlights the continued bi-partisan support that our nation’s libraries enjoy in Congress, and across the country,” she concluded.