ALA: Federal Support for Libraries in 2010 

Written by The Children's Book Guild | July 25 2010

The ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world, counting almost 62,000 members in more than 115 countries. The ALA has identified several key legislative priorities in 2010.

Fund Library Programs
The Library Services and Technology Act (LSAT) should ensure the best possible library resources for our children and all Americans.

• The overall purposes of the Library Services and Technology Act are to:
  * promote improvement in library services in all types of libraries in order
  to better serve the people of the United States,
  * facilitate access to resources in all types of libraries for the purpose
  of cultivating an educated and informed citizenry, and
  * encourage resource sharing among all types of libraries for the purpose of
  achieving economical and efficient delivery of library services to the
  public. 
  
  
• The Act specifies the following priorities for grants to states:

* to expand services for learning and access to information and educational
resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for
individuals of all ages;
* to develop library services that provide all users access to information
through local, state, regional, national, and international electronic
networks; 
* to provide electronic and other linkages between and among all types of
libraries; 
* to develop public and private partnerships with other agencies and
community-based organizations;
* to target library services to individuals of diverse geographic, cultural,
and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to
individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills; and
* to target library and information services to persons having difficulty
using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including
children from families with incomes below the poverty line.

Improving Literacy through School Libraries

ALA recommends that Congress maintain dedicated funding for this program.  The purpose of this program is to improve student literacy skills and
academic achievement by providing increased access to up-to-date library
materials, a well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media
center, and well-trained, professionally certified school library media
specialists.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

In 2001, with strong bipartisan support, the nation embarked on an ambitious
school reform plan entitled the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Among other things, NCLB requires states to set high standards for
all students and holds schools accountable for the results. Further, it
requires that there be a state-certified teacher in every classroom. Since
the Obama Administration took over in 2009, NCLB has been referred to as the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Congress is currently in the process of re-authorizing ESEA.

The ALA is recommending that the reauthorization of this act include:  
·     A fully-funded school library staffed by a
full-time state certified school librarian in every school;
·     State and local professional development funds to recruit
and train school librarians.

Broadband access for all
·     Support the Access to Twenty-first Century Communications and Video
Accessibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3101 and S. 3304)
·     Support a free and open Internet for all by voting in favor of net
neutrality. 

FAQ about ALA

http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=alafaq&template=/cfapps/faq/faq.cfm#1

More on ALA issues and advocacy

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/index.cfm