Dedicated funding for school libraries is in danger of disappearing in 2013, if President Obama's proposed budget is approved by Congress.
The President's proposal, presented Monday at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, VA, eliminates $28.6 million that was earmarked for literacy programs under the Fund for Improvement of Education (FIE) in fiscal year 2012 and put into the budget by Congress at the end of 2011.
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) spearheaded the push to bring funds to our nation's school libraries, with half of the funds going to library facilities and the rest to national nonprofit literacy organizations, such as Reading Is Fundamental.
"Reducing support for literacy under the Fund for Improvement of Education (FIE) takes books, valuable technological services, and critical learning programs away from at-risk children nationwide," says Molly Raphael, the American Library Association's (ALA) president, in a statement released Tuesday. "We are disappointed the President has chosen to cut programs for this already struggling population. We hope Congress will restore support to help provide at-risk children with a 21st-century education, preparing them for college and career."
Molly Raphael, ALA President
Congress had added the $28.6 million after funding for the Improving Literacy through School Libraries Program had been zeroed out for both fiscal years 2011 and 2012, and meant to cover the same areas that the Improving Literacy program had addressed, says Jeff Kratz, assistant director of ALA's Office of Government Relations.
Yet the President did not request that the literacy funding under FIE continue in his current proposal. In addition, he consolidated the Improving Literacy through School Libraries Program with five other literacy programs, giving them $187 million collectively—but not allocating any of the groups a dedicated funding stream.
That decision leaves school libraries without any funds specifically earmarked for them, says Kratz. But school library advocates plan to make their voice and concerns heard again and will continue to do so throughout the year until Congress and the President agree on a final budget late in 2012.
"There is zero dedicated funding for school libraries in the proposed budget from President Obama," says Kratz. "We'll definitely be pushing to get some sort of money when Congress marks it up and hopefully passes a budget for this year."
One step forward, two steps back... what in the world...
Posted by Kathy on February 16, 2012 08:21:03AM
Although I support the President in general, I'm extremely disappointed he neglected this important funding. Apparently educational decisions are made even at top levels without concern for students or other consequences. We know the value of school libraries. What educational decisions are being made in China? What are we willing to spend on the education of our own children?
Posted by D. OBryn on February 16, 2012 11:03:56AM
Our leaders adopt measures like the Common Core to make our future career and college ready. Our leaders raise the bar for our future to be more competitive both in technologically and on the global spectrum. Our leaders attemtp to retool the education system so that educators be more accountable. But...wait for it...our leaders say do all of this without any support...our leaders would rather take the heart of education out, the citadel of learning: the school library. These are not leaders.
Posted by A.Kalin on February 16, 2012 12:29:40PM
I wonder if the Presidents daughters are using the school library to check out books in their school.
Posted by Francine on February 16, 2012 12:38:00PM
I always hear Republicans talking about cuts in spending, however, when the cuts affect them, they complain bitterly. They want a president who will shrink government but they don't seem to realize that shrinking government means shrinking public jobs and programs such as education, law enforcement, fire fighters, etc. As a librarian, I would like to see our deficit cut, not by shrinking necessary programs such as school libraries, but by increasing taxes for wealthy Americans. Republicans: you can't have it both ways!!
Posted by Millie on February 16, 2012 01:33:53PM
So looking into the FIE
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/fie/index.html ...1st why
is the FIE giving money to For-Profit-Organizations? 2.
If you look at their budget since 2002 they have been
given over a Trillion dollars (1,412,646,114) It's
gonna hurt when your budget shrinks from over
100million to less than 11million, but maybe its time
to stop buying 10 copies of the same book only to have
to re-buy another set when revisions have to be made
and just invest in some e-readers. I'm just saying they
need to be smarter with the money they were given.
Seriously 130 million for several years and those "at-
risk" schools don't have a killer library by now?
Someones mismanaging the money.
Posted by George on February 16, 2012 03:57:33PM
The Obama administration withdraws library funding and spends millions to fly drones over America to watch us.
He is making his true values quite clear. I really can't hear his rhetoric anymore.
Posted by Kathy Kleckner on February 16, 2012 02:47:09PM
I am Branch Librarian in a Small, Rural Public Library. This foolish move of Obama's ends any hope of getting any votes from me or my family.
Posted by Christine on February 16, 2012 04:52:52PM
In my most humble opinion, this "simply" says to me that our President does not support literacy. An illiterate society is easily manipulated and ultimately dies out. The school library is the core of literacy as the heart is the core of life: no core=>death. So, what does President Obama mean by this action?
Posted by Cheryl on February 16, 2012 05:12:32PM
Our school library is the avenue for our parents to get involved in their children's education in an informal, open environment. Before and after school they stop in and read with their kids and meet each other. Our PTA has gained members from these parents as they begin to feel more comfortable in the school setting. And, of course, children and parents reading together leads to greater literacy and education for all. So, this is basic Common Core value if you're looking at bang for the buck!
Posted by Marti Olesen on February 17, 2012 09:33:47AM
How much of these funds actually get to school library media centers anyway??? Our state removed funding controls several years ago, so a good many of our schools' media funds are diverted to other programs at the whim of central office staff and principals.
Posted by Tommy Tatum on February 17, 2012 10:00:40AM
My children love their school library and our public
Library. We need these resources to help our children’s
education and for constructive activities for our
children to be involved in. I love my Library, I love my
children’s school and I want politician’s to stop
posturing to say things about education and give the
funds so schools and libraries can do what they do best,
help our children learn.
Posted by Kim Latkovich on February 17, 2012 11:04:27AM
Wow, glad this wasn't a budget proposal from President Bush, then SLJ really would've heard the ire of school librarians and their supporters.
Oh, and reader Millie, the article is about Obama's proposed budget -- not the Republicans. Your misguided comment is irrelevant to the discussion.
Posted by Alfred C. Martino on February 20, 2012 06:57:51AM
Have you checked the Federal debt lately? The Treasury is empty. There is no money, only IOUs. All they can do is borrow more. Put the pressure on Obama to remove the Federal Regulations strangling jobs and entrepreneurialism, get out of the way, and let America get back to work. Then the libraries will have the revenue desperately needed to combat illiteracy.
Posted by Cindy on February 20, 2012 10:30:59AM
What is this world coming to. No funds for the fundamentals.
We have funds for sports, we have funds for debate teams, we have funds for field trips. Reading is not going to be our future? Cursive is also another skill that is going by the wayside. I think our world is turning into a third world. We won't have the intelligence to read or write. I'm ashamed where our government priorities are, skills for kick, pass, and punt, are you kidding me! Our children will be signing with an X because they lack the skills to read and write. Our children are our future. I hope the president knows that even using technology, you need to read the instructions.
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