Libraries Get Some Relief From Stimulus Package

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By Debra Lau Whelan -- School Library Journal, 02/17/2009

If you’re a little confused about what the $787 billion economic stimulus bill just signed by President Obama means for school and public libraries, there’s a new Website that hopes to clarify things.

In Denver, President Obama signs the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law.
Photo: White House/Peter Souza

The American Library Association (ALA), which applauds the new administration for signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, has launched a Know Your Stimulus Web site, calling it a one-stop-shop for all things related to the new law, says Melanie Anderson, ALA’s associate director for the Office of Government Relations.

The Web site offers advice on how to apply for library grants, has important links to other sites, and has a complete breakdown of what each state will receive under the new law.

Although dollar figures in the final version are lower than what was originally proposed, there are still many funding opportunities for school and public libraries. For one, state governors will be given billions of dollars to use at their discretion, so it will be up to library advocates to educate them about the value of libraries, Anderson says.

Although the $79 billion originally proposed by the House and Senate for a State Stabilization Fund was reduced to $53.6 billion in the signed version, money from the fund can be used to upgrade school libraries, Anderson adds. The program helps states make up for shortfalls in spending for elementary and secondary education and higher education, as well as government services, which could include public libraries.

Some $200 million in competitive state grants is also allocated to expand computer use at public libraires and community colleges.

Meanwhile, the existing Rural Community Facilities Program, which provides financing that can be used for health care facilities, libraries, and other important community, was funded at an additional $130 million on top of the program’s current $1 billion budget.

Libraries can also expect to benefit from the extra $2 billion in funding that the stimulus package allocates for Head Start, the federal early childhood development program. As part of the Improving Head Start Act, signed into law in December 2007, libraries are required to work more closely with school and public libraries on events such as storytime and promoting library cards.

ALA lobbied hard while the stimulus package was being hammered out on Capitol Hill to ensure that the law “invests in the programs and services libraries provide that help America get back to work,” says the ALA.

ALA President Jim Rettig says that while the final version didn’t contain every provision that would help libraries, it has many opportunities that libraries can use to continue delivering much-needed services.

“Working through this expansive and vitally important piece of legislation was no easy task for Congress and the White House, and I am grateful to see libraries are included in this effort to put our nation on the road to recovery,” Rettig says.