Legislative Alerts
June 9, 2021

ALA Advocacy Alert: Take Action: FY22 Budget: Urge your Legislators to #FundLibraries!

Late last week, President Biden submitted his budget proposal before Congress, which includes federal funding for libraries. Senator Tammy Baldwin serves on the appropriations committee in charge of finalizing the budget, and we need your help

The current proposed FY 2022 budget supports $197 million for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) administered through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and $28 million for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) grant administered through the Department of Education. The proposed funding for both the LSTA and IAL are level with the FY 2021 final budget.

Over the last few months, we have advocated for funding of at least $206 million for LSTA and $50 million for IAL in FY 2022, as outlined in the Dear Appropriator letters in both the House and Senate. Thanks to your advocacy, over 100 Representatives signed onto each letter in the House, and we surpassed the number of signers from last year for the LSTA letter in the Senate. This illustrates that many in Congress agree that libraries are crucial to our communities, and an increase in overall funding next year is essential.

Will you contact Tammy Baldwin and ask her to support increased funding for libraries in the final FY22 budget? Click here to Take Action Now through the ALA website, and if you want to call any one of her offices, you can find that information here.

Thank you so much for your continued advocacy, and let's work together to #FundLibraries in FY 2022!

 
March 18, 2021

ALA Advocacy Alert:  Huge Win But There Is More To Do!

Together, we have made history! Libraries gained $200 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) when Congress passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). This is the single largest increase in funding for IMLS in the agency's 25-year history. In addition, libraries are eligible for billions more in federal relief funding, including the new $7 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund through the FCC's E-rate program. For a more detailed analysis on aspects relevant to libraries that are included in the bill, please review ALA's package summary document.
 
Please take a moment to thank your Members of Congress for passing this historic bill! You can also use ALA's sample social media messages to thank your Members of Congress for the funding in this bill.
Now we need you for the Build America's Libraries Act!
The Build America's Libraries Act would fund upgrades to the nation's library infrastructure to address challenges such as natural disasters, COVID-19, broadband capacity, environmental hazards, and accessibility barriers. This groundbreaking legislation would pave the way for new and improved library facilities in underserved communities across the country.
 
 
Currently, Senators Baldwin and Johnson have NOT signed on as sponsors, and Representatives Steil, Kind, Fitzgerald, Grothman, Tiffany, and Gallagher have NOT sponsored this bill.
 
What are the biggest challenges you face in your library facilities? What impact would this legislation have on your community? Share your story with ALA to help make the case for federal support for library construction and modernization.
 
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