Congress Denies Federal Funding for School Libraries in FY2011
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In yet another blow to media specialists, for the first time since Improving Literacy Through School Libraries was authorized a decade ago, Congress has decided not to fund the program in FY2011.
Improving Literacy Through School Libraries is the only the only federal program exclusively for school libraries and is designed to boost academic achievement by providing students with access to up-to-date school library materials.
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The House and Senate approved a budget on April 14 that appropriated $237.8 million—or a $28 million reduction—to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for FY2011. The cuts will no doubt affect libraries across the country. But the news is even worse for school libraries, which weren't even mentioned in the budget's text.
"These cuts in funding hurt people throughout the United States who depend on libraries," says Roberta Stevens, president of the American Library Association (ALA). "We are putting our nation at a disadvantage as we compete in a world that realizes and values the importance of being educated and informed."
Although the Improving Literacy Through Libraries program was authorized at $250 million in 2001, funding has never been appropriated at that level. Sponsored by the Department of Education, it provides money to public school libraries to update collections, expand Internet connections, buy new technology, extend library hours, and provide professional development to media specialists.
In 2002 and 2003, Congress allocated about $12.5 million for the program. In 2004, that number went up to $19.8 million, and it has since then seen a slight decline, with President Obama proposing to keep 2009 and 2010 levels the same at $19.1 million.
Last year, Obama for the first time proposed wiping out a line item that created the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program and suggested consolidating it with five other literacy programs-all of which would then vie for the same pool of money, says Jeff Kratz, assistant director of ALA's Office of Government Relations. As a result, school districts with at least 20 percent of its students who come from families who live below the poverty line will no longer have dedicated federal funds to specifically pay for school library materials.
By not designating an appropriation for the remainder of FY2011 in bill, Congress gave authority to the Department of Education (DOE) to determine funds for school libraries-and it has 30 days to submit to Congress an operating plan for school libraries.
"The future of the program is in the Department of Education's hands,' says Jenni Terry, ALA's press officer, explaining that it's up to the DOE to determine whether to fund the program or not.
ALA is calling on Congress to restore support for libraries as the FY2012 budget debate continues.
