Public Libraries Can Tap into Eligible Funds Worth Billions The American Rescue Plan includes significant federal dollars that can support library programs and services that play a larger role in recovery than is generally understood. Carl Smith, Senior Staff Writer | April 14, 2021 | Analysis
A Gallup poll published in January 2020 found that the cultural activity that Americans engaged in most often wasn’t going to a movie theatre, concert or sporting event, but visiting a library. The most frequent users of library services were young people aged 18-29, residents of low-income households and women.
By March 2020, 98 percent of libraries had closed their buildings to some extent, a survey by the American Library Association (ALA) found. They had pivoted, and were working to augment online services and develop new ways to serve their communities during the pandemic. Some jurisdictions reassigned library staf
Maryland Legislature Passes Bill Supporting Library Access to Digital Content By Andrew Albanese | Turns out there is something that can garner broad bipartisan support: public libraries.
This week the Maryland legislature became the first state to pass legislation that would ensure libraries can license e-books and other digital literary content that is available to consumers. And in a strong sign of support for libraries (especially in these politically divisive times) the bill passed the Maryland General Assembly (both the House of Delegates and the State Senate) unanimously.
First introduced in January, the bill (HB518 in the House of Delegates and SB0432 in the Senate) would require “a publisher who offers to license an electronic literary product to the public to also offer to license the product to public libraries in the State on reasonable terms that would enable public libraries to provide library users with access to the electronic literary prod
By Andrew Albanese | Dec 11, 2020
As the clock ticks on a potential bill, ALA officials are urging Congress to include funding for libraries and library workers, many of whom were furloughed or laid off in 2020, as well as direct library broadband and stabilization funding.
“This is likely to be the last relief bill before Congress for several months,” said Alan Inouye, ALA senior director of public policy and government relations, in the alert, which urges library advocates to email their members of Congress, as well as reaching out to their elected leaders on social media. “Many more colleagues in our library community are at risk now, the alert adds, “just when communities need them the most.”