[ISLMA-Share] Take Action for Libraries

Wed Apr 5 13:15:02 CDT 2017

The following wasmentioned in an *American Libraries Direct* email from the
ALA dated April 4, 2017. I followed the link to the following--

Contact:
Macey Morales
Deputy Director
Public Awareness Office
American Library Association
mmorales at ala.org

*ALA, library community, advocates, call on nation’s leaders to safeguard
IMLS funding*

CHICAGO – Libraries of all types are part of a delicate ecosystem that
supports the transformation of communities and lives through education and
lifelong learning. From the cradle to the grave, libraries provide
invaluable resources that serve as a lifeline for billions of users for
access to technology, early and digital literacy instruction, job-seeking
resources, social services and small business tools.

During National Library Week April 9 – 15, The American Library Association
(ALA) will launch *Take Action for Libraries Day*, a national library
advocacy effort observed for the first time on the Thursday of National
Library Week, April 13.

In response to President’s Trump proposed budget cuts, this year’s* Take
Action for Libraries Day* will highlight the library community’s efforts to
safeguard funding for the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS),
which serves as a critical funding resource for every state, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories to support libraries and
museums. IMLS funding helps support literacy programs for youth, small
business service centers, services for veterans and technological resources
and services like 3-D printers.

*“*We must stand-up and voice our support for libraries to legislators and
local, state and federal leaders,” said ALA President Julie Todaro.
“Librarians and library workers transform lives every day though
educational resources and expert guidance. While many value the
contributions of libraries, libraries can’t live on love alone. The loss of
crucial federal funding will have a profound impact on library service and
the more than 1. 5 billion who rely on them.

“During *Take Action for Libraries Day*, the ALA encourages librarians,
library workers and patrons to advocate for full funding of IMLS which will
safeguard federal funding for our nation’s libraries.  Our hope is that
advocates will fight for libraries by making at least five calls to their
legislators to ask for full support of IMLS funding.”

Libraries play an invaluable role within their communities and federal
funding plays a significant part in supporting library programs and
services. For example, The Athens-Limestone (Alabama) Public Library
depends on IMLS funding to build and update collections; support computer,
Job Searching, and Resume classes; fund its books-by-Mail service for
homebound residents; and Sensory Storytimes for those with special sensory
needs. If funding cuts transpire, the loss of IMLS funding that goes to the
state, will cut or drastically reduce services for the blind and physically
impaired; statewide summer reading programs; homework help resources;
Technical/IT support; and genealogy resources.

In Philadelphia, IMLS provides a sixth of the Free Library of
Philadelphia's annual budget.  Federal funding is used to support print and
digital collections, databases and business resources. Cuts on the federal
level will have a negative impact on the library’s job training and
literacy services available to the city’s most vulnerable and marginalized
members will be eliminated, or diminished. Philadelphia’s unemployed, low
literate, and immigrant populations will have fewer resources to choose
from and the thousands of citizens that rely on the library for internet
access will experience a deeper digital divide. Also small business owners
will lose access to crucial web resources.

The ALA and its more than 57.000 members will continue to work to encourage
patrons to contact their local legislators to safeguard IMLS funding;
foster library tours for legislators and local leaders to see business
research computer classes in action, or veteran’s support groups learning
about online resources to assist their families with financial wellness
resources; and to provide advocacy tools to Fight for Libraries
<http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/federallegislation/fight-for-libraries>!
Several ALA divisions are currently offering resources that will fuel
advocacy efforts to youth
<http://www.ala.org/everyday-advocacy/take-action-saveimls>, young adult
<http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2017/03/16/how-you-can-save-federal-funding-for-libraries-help-teens/>
, public library
<http://www.ala.org/pla/help-pla-save-federal-funding-libraries>, school
library <http://knowledgequest.aasl.org/take-action-libraries-saveimls/>
 and academic library <http://www.ala.org/acrl/issues/value> services.  For
additional information regarding IMLS and what it provides for your state
funding visit the IMLS website
<https://www.imls.gov/grants/grants-state/state-profiles>.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance
sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across
the country each April. All types of libraries - school, public, academic
and special participate. National Library Week celebrations also include
the release of the American Library Association’s 2017 “State of America’s
Libraries Report” on Monday, April 10; National Library Workers Day, April
11; and National Bookmobile Day on Wednesday, April 12.  In addition, April
is School Library Month, which is sponsored by the American Association of
School Librarians, a division of the ALA.

For more information on National Library Week, please visit
ILoveLibraries.org/NLW <http://www.ilovelibraries.org/national-library-week> or
follow #NationalLibraryWeek.

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library
association in the world, with more than 57,000 members in academic,
public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the
American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development,
promotion and improvement of library and information services and the
profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access
to information for all.

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I hope that you are including some library funding advocacy in your Library
Week activities.

Lou Ann Jacobs

ISLMA Legislative Chair

louajcbs at gmail.com
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