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@US_IMLS
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Senators introduce bipartisan Museum and Library Services Act of
2017
District
Dispatch: 12.22.2017 by Kathi Kromer
Acknowledging
the critical role of libraries as anchor institutions in communities across the
nation, a group of senators under the leadership of @SenJackReed (D-RI), @senatorcollins (R-ME), @SenThadCochran (R-MS), @SenGillibrand (D-NY), and @lisamurkowski (R-AK) introduced the bipartisan Museum
and Library Services Act of 2017 (S. 2271).
The
2017 MLSA reauthorizes the Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS), showing congressional support for
the federal agency. IMLS administers funding through the Library
Services Technology Act (LSTA), the only federal program that
exclusively covers services and funding for libraries. The LSTA provides more
than $183 million for libraries through the Grants to States program, the
National Leadership Grants for Libraries, the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian
Program, and Native American Library Services.
To
be clear, S. 2271 would not ensure full funding* for the programs libraries
depend on. Reauthorization of the MLSA is not necessary for IMLS to receive
funding: the last
MLSA expired in 2016. Rather, S. 2271 would authorize IMLS to continue
to exist and give direction about how the agency should operate. Passage of
this reauthorization bill would signal that Congress values libraries and
supports the mission of IMLS. As ALA President Jim Neal expressed it,
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ALA’s
Washington Office encourages you to use the action
center to contact your senators and ask them to cosponsor S. 2271. In
your emails and calls to senators, tell them how LSTA funds enable your library
to offer valuable services to your community. Invite them to visit your library
to see for themselves the difference you are making in people’s lives.
Ultimately, it is your story and your voice that will persuade your elected
leaders to show their support for libraries and cosponsor the MLSA of 2017. READ
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