[OPLINLIST] Federal funding update

[marshams@library.ohio.gov via OPLINLIST]

Please excuse multiple postings...



Last week the State Library made available a downloadable poster<https://library.ohio.gov/documents/what-would-you-lose/> that illustrates how federal LSTA funds are used in Ohio.  We encourage you to post the "WHAT WOULD YOU LOSE" poster and to share it with colleagues, constituents and stakeholders.



At the time the poster was released September 8 the President's FY2018 budget requested closing out all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) operations.  Librarians across the country mobilized and on July 13, 2017 the House Appropriations subcommittee that deals with library funding (Labor, Health & Human Services, Education and Related Agencies) voted to recommend level funding in FY2018 for IMLS, including $183 million for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).  The House Appropriations Committee voted to approve the bill containing IMLS funding on July 19.



Over the weekend library supporters received more good news.  The Senate Appropriations Committee approved an increase of $4 million in funding for IMLS, all of which would go to the Grants to State program.  The Senate Committee's bill boosts IMLS funding to $235 million.



Although continued funding for IMLS and LSTA may appear to be certain, there are still several steps to be completed in the appropriations process and the budget process can be capricious.  The Senate Appropriations Committee funding measure now moves to the full Senate.  If passed, it must then be reconciled with the House version that proposed IMLS funding at $231 million. And, the Administration's "Statement of Administration Position" continues to call for the elimination of IMLS. Add to this the fact that it seems unlikely that any budget bills will be finalized by September 30 and Continuing Resolutions will be required to keep the government running.



Thank you for your support of federal funding for libraries to date and for your continued support moving forward.  Please use the poster to inform and educate.  As more information regarding the federal budget becomes available, the State Library will be sharing that information with Ohio libraries.

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Marsha McDevitt-Stredney, Ph.D.
Public Information Officer
Director, Marketing & Communications
274 E. 1st Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Tel: 614-644-6875
Fax: 614-466-3584
library.ohio.gov<http://library.ohio.gov/>

Share Your Story<http://library.ohio.gov/state-librarian/share-your-story> by telling us how a
State Library service or resource helped
you or your library.


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