[OPLINLIST] U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a budget resolution that recommends eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

[McDevitt-Stredney, Marsha]

Please excuse multiple postings.
Sent on behalf of State Librarian Beverly Cain...
_______

Dear Colleagues,

You may be aware that the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a budget resolution that recommends eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) as a potential option to reduce federal spending.  IMLS awards LSTA funds to the State Library of Ohio each year to help develop and support library services throughout the state.  Loss of this funding would have a significant adverse impact on Ohio's libraries.  Below is an excerpt from the House bill:

"Promote State, Local, and Private Funding for Museums and Libraries. The Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent agency that makes grants to museums and libraries. This is not a core Federal responsibility. This function can be funded at the State and local level and augmented significantly by charitable contributions from the private sector."

You are well aware that state funding for Ohio's libraries has declined since 2008.  Funding for Ohio's public libraries has dropped by 24% since 2008 and school, academic, and special libraries, including the State Library of Ohio, have all experienced similar decreases.  I believe charitable contributions currently make up only a very small percentage, 1-2% perhaps, of any library's budget and cannot be counted upon to replace federal LSTA dollars.

We have received a number of questions regarding the importance and use of LSTA funds in Ohio.  The attached Talking Points are designed to answer many of those questions and we are working on more detailed information for those who would like it.  More information on the use of LSTA funds in Ohio can be found on our website<http://library.ohio.gov/lpd/lsta>. We will discuss the importance of IMLS and LSTA funding when we meet with legislators during National Library Legislative Day (NLLD) on May 4-5, 2015.  If you are interested in attending NLLD, please contact Bill Morris at wmorris at library.ohio.gov<mailto:wmorris at library.ohio.gov> to learn more and to register.  If you are not able to attend NLLD but would like to contact your U.S. Representative to discuss the importance of LSTA funds to Ohio libraries, the Talking Points will assist you in crafting your message.

For more information, please contact Bill Morris, Governmental Affairs Coordinator, at the State Library of Ohio.

Sincerely,
Beverly Cain


[cid:image001.jpg at 01D06BDA.DD593D00]
Beverly L. Cain
State Librarian
274 E. 1st Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Tel: 614-644-6843
library.ohio.gov<http://library.ohio.gov>

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