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>Subject: NEWS: Possible Increase in Federal Funding for Libraries >Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2003 09:57:49 -0700 > > >Congress considers $100 million increase in library funding >By Corey Murray, Assistant Editor, eSchool News >April 25, 2003 >The American Library Association (ALA) is leading the charge to reauthorize >a bill that could pump millions of dollars of additional funding into >school >library programs nationwide. I really, really hope that the recipients (if the money DOES come through) don't use the New Zealand paradigm .... see the first story at http://warriorlibrarian.com/index.htm (Apologies if you have already received this information via another source) ******************************** ******************************** ******************************** Amanda Credaro Teacher Librarian Project Officer (Temporary) Professional Development and Curriculum Directorate Phone: 9266 8261 email: abcredaro@ozemail.com.au ********************************* >From: Linda DeVore <linda.devore@CGELEM.K12.AZ.US> >Reply-To: Linda DeVore <linda.devore@CGELEM.K12.AZ.US> >To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU >Subject: NEWS: Possible Increase in Federal Funding for Libraries >Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2003 09:57:49 -0700 > >I just found this in this week's eSN School Technology Alert: > >Congress considers $100 million increase in library funding >By Corey Murray, Assistant Editor, eSchool News >April 25, 2003 >The American Library Association (ALA) is leading the charge to reauthorize >a bill that could pump millions of dollars of additional funding into >school >library programs nationwide. Schools would be able to use the funds to >upgrade sophisticated technology systems, connect to statewide electronic >databases, and preserve documents digitally, among other things. >The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) of 1996-part of the larger >Museum and Library Services Act-was intended to improve access to learning >and information resources by boosting communication between libraries and >by >making resources more readily available to underserved populations. >Its pending reauthorization stands to increase the amount of federal money >available to school and public libraries by as much as $100 million. Given >the recent spate of education-related budget cuts and the sheer expense of >high-end data storage and information-sharing technologies, library >advocates and policy makers agree that current funding levels fall short of >rapidly evolving needs. >"School libraries have been neglected for a long time. A lot of collections >have been neglected," said Mary Costabile, ALA's associate director. "I >look >at [the reauthorization] as a big step along the way to helping libraries >improve." >Library systems, she said, have had a hard time keeping pace with >technology >upgrades, including the computerization of archaic card catalogs; access to >internet resources, trade journals, and online encyclopedias; and the >ability to locate resources using a complex web of computer networks and >searchable, statewide databases. >In light of nationwide budget cuts, Costabile said increased funding for >school libraries is critical. "It's so very important," she said. "The >worst >that could be done is to not pay attention to this." >The Senate version of the bill (S. 888)-referred to the Senate Health, >Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee on April 11-would increase >funding for school and public library programs from $150 million to $250 >million a year, while museum funding would jump from $28.7 million to $41.5 >million. >Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., who co-sponsored the bill along with Sen. Judd >Gregg, R-N.H., said additional funding for library services would garner >national enthusiasm for learning. >"Museums and libraries are rich centers of learning, woven into the fabric >of our communities, big and small, urban and rural," Reed said in a >statement promoting the legislation. "Today's library is not simply a place >where books are read and borrowed. It is a place where a love for reading >is >born and renewed again and again, and where information is sought and >discovered." >The House passed its own version of the bill (H.R. 13) on March 6 by an >overwhelming margin of 416-2. Sponsored by Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., >H.R. >13 authorizes $215 million for libraries and $35 million for >museums-meaning >if the Senate bill passes as expected, lawmakers from both chambers of >Congress will have to work out a compromise on funding. >Still, barring any unforeseen circumstances, school and public libraries >stand to benefit from at least $65 million in additional funding. >"We'd like to get it finished as quick as we can," Costabile said. "I mean, >there's really nothing to fight about here." >At the district level, some educators predict the reauthorization would >herald a new era of library-resource management in schools. >"In the current reauthorization bill, there is certain new language which >could open the door to providing more money for multi-use collaboration >between school and public libraries," said Trish Mulkey, assistant director >for learning media services at the Plano Independent School District in >Texas. "Using funding to maintain records and locations of print resources, >as well as linking users to primary source materials, seems like a very >equitable and efficient use of federal money." >Under the new law, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) >would >hold on to 9 percent of the federal allocation for libraries. A portion of >these funds would support the IMLS's competitive national grant program for >research, training, and the digital preservation of library resources, >while >the rest would be tagged for Native American Library resources and >administrative costs. >The remainder of the allocation would be divvied out to states based on a >two-step formula. Initially, each state would receive a block grant. The >pending reauthorization would double funding for this minimum base >allocation, from $340,000 to $680,000 per state. The rest of the money then >would be distributed to each state library association based on the state's >overall population. >According to Mamie Bittner, director of public and legislative affairs at >IMLS, state library associations would be able to use the appropriations to >support statewide initiatives and services. They also could dole out the >funds to public, academic, research, school, and special libraries in their >state by way of a competitive grants process or through cooperative >agreements. >Bittner said each state maintains a five-year plan outlining its library >programs. These programs must support the LSTA's goals, which are to: >* Establish or enhance electronic linkages among or between >libraries; > >* Link libraries electronically with educational, social, or >information services; >* Help libraries access information through electronic networks; >* Encourage libraries in different areas and different types of >libraries to establish consortia and share resources; >* Pay costs for libraries to acquire or share computer systems and >telecommunications technologies; and >* Target library and information services to persons who have >difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities. >Now that more libraries are beginning to use technology as a means of >sharing resources and cataloging data, "a whole new world has opened up," >ALA's Costabile said. "You wouldn't think of living without your computer." >Library funding also would provide schools with technology to preserve >historical texts and other valuable documents digitally, so they are easily >accessible and withstand the passage of time. "History is full of dead >machines that no one knows how to work anymore," Costabile said. "Keeping >the information and storing it is one thing, accessing it is another." >Sen. Gregg, who chairs the HELP Committee, said the impending >reauthorization and its potential increase in funding would position >America's museums and libraries for the future. >"Libraries and museums serve as important cultural institutions in >communities all around our nation," he said. "I benefited from the local >library in my community growing up, and by reauthorizing this funding we >will continue to ensure the preservation of our libraries and museums for >generations to come." >He continued: "I am also pleased that this bill will coordinate its action >with the school library provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. I >expect >to move this legislation through the HELP Committee soon and look forward >to >its speedy passage." > > >Linda De Vore >Media Center Director >Casa Grande Middle School >Casa Grande, AZ 85222 >linda.devore@cgelem.k12.az.us > _________________________________________________________________ MSN Instant Messenger now available on Australian mobile phones. Go to http://ninemsn.com.au/mobilecentral/hotmail_messenger.asp =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=- All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. 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