Acknowledging the vital role of libraries across the nation, a group of senators introduced the bipartisan Museum and Library Services Act of 2017.
Hey library fans!
The 2019 funding cycle hasn’t quite started yet (look for updates in February 2018!) but here’s another way that you can help support federal library funding.
The Museum and Library Services Act of 2017 (S. 2271) has been introduced by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The 2017 MLSA reauthorizes the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), showing congressional support for the federal agency. IMLS administers funding through the Library Services Technology Act (LSTA), the only federal program that exclusively covers services and funding for libraries. The LSTA provides more than $183 million for libraries through the Grants to States program, the National Leadership Grants for Libraries, the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, and Native American Library Services.
If passed, MLSA would send a strong message from Congress recognizing the important role libraries play in every community across the country.
Please call your Senators and ask them to show their support of libraries by cosponsoring MLSA.
For more information, check out the latest District Dispatch post, take a look at the press release, or read about the history of MLSA.
