Hi Netters:
Many thanks to all who responded. It appears that there are some states
providing significant funding specifically to their school libraries. I
will be sharing this info with our state representatives.
Below are the responses I received, from 14 states and British Columbia,
Canada. I received multiple responses from some states, but have only
posted one reply per state if the information was duplicated. I also
received a couple of replies which didn't identify the state (and I haven't
gotten around to replying for clarification yet -- this was our week before
spring break and the end of a grading period, hence a very busy and
exhausting time). If your state is not listed, I would still be interested
in receiving and posting other state info. Thanks again to all who took
time from their hectic schedules to reply.
My original posting:
Does your state provide any funding specifically for school libraries or
library materials? In Illinois the only funding specifically for school
libraries (apart from free access to one database service) is a Per Capita
grant from the State Library that provides about 75 cents per student to
qualifying libraries. I suspect that some other states may be more
generous and would like to be able to share that information with state
legislators at next month's Library Advocacy Day at the state capitol.
-------
REPLIES:
In Wisconsin we have our Common School Fund. This year we will receive
over $19.00 per student (the actual amount varies from year to year).
If you want more information about it you can find it here
http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dfm/sfms/comsch.html
-------------
Right now, the going rate in New York State for library aid is $6 per
student.
--------
In Nevada we have been given (after a long fight) collection
development money that was $1.00 per student in supplementary money.
Districts had to show that they did have a budget for library
materials and that this money was not going to be used in lieu of
district allocated funds. Our state is growing fast! So this last
year the funds dropped to $.80 per student. Since our legilature
only meets every two years, what was allocated two years ago didn't
quite stretch for this year. Our legislature is now meeting and we
have to fight again. One thing we did was send boxes of weeded
library books to our legislators--you know the kind....some day we
will go to the moon, red savages, one day computers may be the size of
a desk, books on Siam, etc...
-----------
Our state, Delaware, is helpful from time to time. Over the past 5 years we
have had funding three times. The first was $1 million in 2000-01, which,
when divided amongst all the public and charter school libraries came to
about $5,000 per library. We had the same funding this year. The second
year was about $2,800.
They do, however, regularly fund online databases, UDLibsearch, which is
done in conjunction with the University of Delaware. The databases are
available in middle and high schools and there is a pilot project to have
them in elementary schools if funding allows. The public libraries are
linked to this project as well. Anyone can use them with a Delaware public
library card.
------------
Michigan provides us with access to several databases- both for school and
public libraries-- there are Infrotrac, FirstSearch, Electric Library
elementary and Sirs Discover. There is no other state support for libraries
that I am aware of. All money come from local budgets, in my case from my
building budget,.
-----------
In Oklahoma, the amount is $9.00 per student via the "Blue Book
administrative formula". Many districts provide additional funds above that
amount as some media specialists have a different budget for equipment.
-------------
In Florida we have FAME- Florida Association for Media in Education which
provides for funds for books and audio books for school libraries. I
received $6,000 this year!! It is a godsend.
--------
(2nd Florida response):
The State of Florida is considering the purchase of the Gale online
databases for all k-12 public schools. This would be a huge boon for
all of us, as our technology monies are dwindling and are expenses
continue to rise. According to our district library media coordinator,
Nancy Teiger, our State Dept. of Education representative, has confirmed
this.
-------------
For Fiscal Year 2005, the State of Alabama provided $135 per state-funded
teacher unit (including administrators, counselors, media specialists,
etc.). No money was provided during FY 2004 due to proration. However, for
the 10 years prior to that during which I had been a media specialist the
state provided funding based on state-funded teacher units. We anticipate
at least the same amount of state funding for FY 06.
---------------------
In NJ there is no direct school library funding. Our school funds come in
bulk from the state budget. The districts may use them any way they want. We
do have regional library cooperatives and they provide discounts for
databases. The state offers free access to some databases for all school and
public libraries.
----------------
I am from Rhode Island. We were told that the state does provide a small
amount of funding, but when we lost all library funding three years ago,
the Superintendent told us that there is no mandated funding. Sad for us.
-----------------
West Virginia does not receive any grants-in-aid for school libraries.
However, the West Virginia Library Commission is broadening its scope to
include school and at home use of its electronic databases.
------------------
California use to have a line item specifically for school libraries in
the budget. This coming year it has become wrapped up in "School
Improvement" Funds. I don't understand all the details yet, although I
know that means we could get everything, nothing, or anywhere in between
depending on what the school committee decides.
The line items has generally been a few dollars per student per year,
but for a few years it was about $25 per student per year.
-------------------
We had dedicated funds from the General Assembly in Indiana beginning in the
late 1990s. It was about $6/kid and had to be match by the local district
(Indiana code requires schools to spend $8/student on library program), but
the
funding was lost around 2000 because of state budget issues. We've been
working to get it back ever sense, but no luck, yet.
----------------
In ND our legislature approved $10.00 per student at the elementary level
back in 1970. This was to cover print, periodicals etc...
Our State Library organization is now getting a bill ready to introduce
and we are going to aim high - $35.00 - I think.
-------------
In our school district (in British Columbia, Canada) we do receive funds.
Last 2 years has been at $17.50 per student. I don't know that the funds
are "targeted" for library - but that's the amount allocated by the local
school board.
-----------
Sally Mitchell
Librarian & Technology Coordinator
Frankfort Community High School
West Frankfort, IL 62896
smitchell@wf168.frnkln.k12.il.us
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