The American Library Association (ALA) released news this week that Congress has decided to push back their discussions on library funding until the first week of September. The Institute for Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS) is a current target of funding cuts, and this gives library supporters like you a great opportunity to get in touch with your Congress members during August recess and urge them to defend federal library funding.
What would you be defending? The IMLS allocates federal funding to each state (NC got $5.1M in FY24) to support such things as NC Cardinal book sharing, internet access and training programs, early literacy programs, and resources for small businesses. Specifically, funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) is one piece of that bigger budget that is what I am personally advocating for to remain in place. Especially in rural NC (and our areas) and under-served parts of NC, this is something we will feel the impact of for generations to come. Make your opinions heard before September!
Call and email your representatives using the script at ReadFreeNC.org
Thank you, FOLSOI, for continuing to remind Library patrons why it is so important to advocate for our libraries! Well funded libraries change lives and are an excellent return on investment for our community. Our Brunswick County Library Trustees have been advocating at the county, state and federal levels and encourage library users to speak out and VOTE!