Clinton Puts Nix on Title VI

Staff -- School Library Journal, 3/1/1999

For the third consecutive year, President Clinton has axed the Elementaryand Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title VI block grant from his federalbudget, released to Congress on February 1.

Nor has funding fared well for public library programs. According to abudget breakdown provided by ALA's Washington Office, Clinton approved just$154.5 million for the library services portion of the Institute of Museumand Library Services budget, a decrease of almost $12 million from lastyear's $166.2 million.

On the bright side, funding for the Reading Excellence Act, which providesgrants to libraries and schools for improved reading instruction, is set at$286 million. And another $450 million has been requested for the TechnologyLiteracy Challenge Fund, enabling schools to buy computer hardware andeducational software, and provide teachers with technology training.