ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline Volume 9, Number 9 February 9, 2000 In this issue: [1] Administration's FY2001 Budget Released [2] President Requests $206,378,000 from Congress for Nation's Libraries and Museums [3] IMLS Fact Sheets on Library Services, Museums; FY2001 President's Request [1] Administration's FY2001 Budget Released On February 7, the Administration's FY200l budget request was discussed at a briefing at the Old Executive Office Building and then at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. For FY2001, the President is requesting $40.1 billion in discretionary appropriations for education programs, an increase of $4.5 billion, or 12.6 percent, over the FY2000 level. For the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the FY2001 budget proposes an increase in library program funding to $173 million with $13 million to be set aside for national leadership projects. (See the IMLS press release below for more information.) FY2000 appropriations for the Library Services and Technology Act, after the 0.38 percent reduction, was $165,809,000. (Note: Various departments of government had to create a cut of 0.38 percent in their FY2000 appropriations. This was part of the final omnibus appropriations agreement for FY2000 (P.L. 106-13).) The proposed funding for the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science is $1,495,000. The National Endowment for the Arts would be funded at a level of $150 million, while the Endowment for the Humanities would also receive $150 million. Each of the increases would include funds for several new Administration initiatives. Other major increases listed include $1.3 billion for school renovation, $716 million to raise the Pell Grant maximum award to $3,500, and increasing the Federal work-study program from $934 million to $1.l billion in FY2001. School enrichment activities would receive $547 million under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, bringing the program request to $1 billion; a proposed $450 million increase to hire more teachers as part of the third year of the Class Size Reduction program for a total of $1.75 billion, and $198.6 million for Research, Development and Dissemination, an increase of $30 million. The President proposed an increase of $48 million in Bilingual Education, bringing the level to $296 million; an increase in the Reading Excellence Act of $26 million, bringing the level to $286 million; and providing a 50 percent increase in Indian Education, bringing the total to $116 million. Included is a new proposed $5 million for an American Indian Administrator Corps that would train American Indian teachers and professionals to become school administrators. For the Adult Education program, the President proposed an increase of 18 percent for a total of $555.5 million. This would include an increase in funding for the Common Ground Partnership Grants, an English literacy and civics initiative newly funded last year. The Technology Literacy Challenge Fund would increase by $25 million, bringing the total request to $450 million for FY2001. Community Technology Centers -- which makes grants to public housing facilities, community centers, libraries and other community facilities to make educational technology available to residents of low-income and rural communities -- would increase from $312.5 million to $1 billion in FY2001. Title VI-Innovative Education Program Strategies would again be zeroed out in the President's budget proposal. The budget document states the program would be repealed under the Administration's Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization proposal. The Department of Education "believes that these funds are better spent on comprehensive, standards- based educational improvement and reform." The Commerce Department requested a $4 million supplemental item for shutdown costs to support their proposal to close the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). The National Agricultural Library would receive a $2 million increase over FY2000, bringing the total from $19 to $21 million. An additional $1.7 million is requested for renovation of the building. Further details on the proposed budget, including a budget chart, will be published in an upcoming ALAWON. -- Mary Costabile [2] President's Budget Requests $206,378,000 for Institute of Museum and Library Services Note: The following is a February 7 press release from IMLS. For more information contact Mamie Bittner at 202-606-8339 or Mbittner@imls.gov Washington, D.C. - The President's Budget for FY 2001 released to Congress today contains $206,378,000 for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The request for the Office of Museum Services is $33,378,000, an increase of $9,070,720 over current funding. The request for the Office of Library Services is $173,000,000, an increase of $18,500,163 over current funding for core programs and competitive National Leadership Grants. Beverly Sheppard, Acting Director said, "We are proud of this strong endorsement for the work of libraries and museums across the country. As we usher in the 21st century, libraries and museums are responding to dramatic advances in technology, increasing diversity in our populations, and growing demands for learning throughout a lifetime. In short, the needs and expectations of the American public are different than they were even five years ago. This change requires investment. The President's request for FY2001 recognizes these challenges as critical to enabling the public to fully use the rich resources of museums and libraries." The budget request focuses on two major goals. Each of these goals will be addressed through museum programs, library programs and collaborations between museums and libraries: * increasing technological access to museum and library resources for all Americans; and, * building community partnerships to address serious and persistent community needs. TECHNOLOGY Technology challenges are escalating, reflecting a new role for IMLS at the federal level. Since 1998, IMLS has provided grants to state library agencies and to individual libraries for research, digitization and management of digital resources. Funding further addresses critical preservation and interoperability issues. Beginning in 2000, Congress appropriated funds to IMLS to establish museum programs that build electronic networks and use technology to make museum resources more accessible. Increased funding for technology initiatives will build on this history and will support the establishment of electronic networks among institutions, the identification and digitization of key collections, ongoing research into the management of digital collections and nationwide opportunities for information sharing and dissemination. Because of its leadership role, IMLS has been charged by Executive Order to work together with the National Science Foundation, the National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution and with the private sector and cultural and educational institutions across the country to create a Digital Library of Education to bring cultural and educational resources to the public. This budget continues and enhances IMLS' strong technology programs that consistently promote public access to museum and library services for a diverse public. With this budget IMLS joins with the National Science Foundation to provide linkages among digital library and museum resources. Digital resources for lifelong learning are available on the Internet but are not yet accessible in usable ways to all Americans. This project will include addressing technical issues to increase ease of searching for and finding information held by many different institutions. This collaboration will provide vital educational content to the classrooms of America. BUILDING COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERSHIPS Libraries and museums across the country are active community citizens. They are experts in building strategic partnerships across the community to address pressing local issues, such as: after school programming, neighborhood revitalization, narrowing the digital divide, linking community services and strengthening family programming. As partners, libraries and museums are building new informal learning systems for the 21st century, meeting learning needs from infancy through the senior years. IMLS seeks additional funding to invest in this community leadership. Two areas are of special concern: supporting strong, creative after school programming and building institutional expertise to strengthen community leadership. After-School Programs: IMLS seeks funding for both libraries and museums to support strong after-school programs, both at their facilities and within school and community centers. Such programming is especially significant for students at risk. Solid research supports the positive effects of engaging children in life-affirming creative and reliable out-of-school-hour environments. Libraries and museums offer numerous such programs, ranging from homework programs to an innovative computer connections clubs. Children learn new skills, are offered a safe environment, reinforce school-based learning and gain fresh confidence through these opportunities. Building Institutional Expertise: IMLS seeks additional funding to develop broad professional expertise in both museums and libraries to expand their roles as community leaders. Funds will identify and share best practices, using broad communication strategies to encourage leadership across the nation. Increased funding will build the institutional capacity of museums and libraries and educators and community builders in the 21st century. Further investment in professional practices will support initiatives to support and train minority professionals in museums and libraries. About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) - IMLS is an independent Federal grant making agency operating under authority of the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, P.L. 104-208. IMLS fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation's 15,000 museum sites and 122,000 libraries. IMLS consists of an Office of the Director, Office of Museum Services, Office of Library Services, and Office of Research and Technology. For more information, including grant guidelines, contact: Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC, 20506; (202)606- 8536, or http://www.imls.gov. [3] IMLS Fact Sheets on Library Services, Museums; FY2001 President's Request INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES FACT SHEET ON LIBRARY SERVICES FY 2001 PRESIDENT'S REQUEST PROGRAM TYPE FY 2000 ENACTED FY 2001 REQUEST State Grants $138,118,000 $151,780,000 Native American Library Svcs. $2,616,000 $3,030,000 National Leadership Grants $22,026,000* $13,000,000 Federal Administration $3,491,000 $5,190,000 * includes $11,751,000 in non-competitive Congressionally directed grants STATE GRANTS IMLS Grants to States support library services in every State, the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories. Each State develops a five-year plan tailored to the individual states' needs and addressing the goals of using technology to expand access and expanding service to those who may have difficulty using the library. All types of libraries public, academic, research, schools and archives can be eligible (depends on criteria established by each state). For more information about the program and exemplary project descriptions see http://www.imls.gov. * Libraries are the #1 point of access to the Internet for those who do not have computers at home or work. However, many public libraries have waiting lists for patrons wanting to access the Internet due to heavy demand. States use IMLS funds to help narrow the digital divide by providing access to computers and to the Internet, community training, and content development. * Today's libraries and the librarians are information navigators. States use IMLS grants help to establish and maintain the infrastructure needed to expand access to rich information resources by developing and purchasing databases; sharing resources, expanding interlibrary loan and purchasing of hardware and software. * Libraries support learning throughout the lifetime. States use IMLS grants for after-school programs, homework centers, literacy training, ESL programs, adaptive services for the disabled, job and health information, support for small business, parenting resources and story telling for children, programs for seniors and more. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANTS These grants enhance the quality of library services nationwide, improve access to information resources, and encourage collaboration between museums and libraries. Grants focus on * Education and training in library and information science; * Research in library and information science and demonstration projects to test potential solutions to problems in real-world situations; * Preservation or digitization of unique resources; and * Museum/Library Collaborative for innovative projects that model how museums and libraries can work together to expand their service to the public, with emphasis on how the community is served, technology is used, or education is enhanced. Some of the grants in this program in 2001 will explore potential ways to improve technology skills and access for the information "have-nots." Others will contribute to the partnership with NSF, bridging the spectrum from basic research through applied research and demonstration, to implementation of digital libraries. NATIVE AMERICAN LIBRARY SERVICES Grants support the development of basic library services, technical assistance and enhancement of library services for Federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native villages and Native Hawaiians. Grants in this program support the development of technology skills and information access, literacy and reading in communities that lack many basic resources and services. --- INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES FACT SHEET FOR MUSEUMS FY 2001 PRESIDENT'S REQUEST PROGRAM TYPE FY 2000 ENACTED FY 2001 REQUEST Support for Operations $15,967,280 $15,983,000 Support for Conservation $3,130,000 $3,130,000 National Leadership Grants $3,050,000 $11,635,000 Federal Administration $2,160,000 $2,630,000 NATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANTS This program restructured in FY 2000 supports leadership activities with broad impact. It has four priorities: * Technology Advancement in Museums supports model projects that increase access to museum resources for both school-based curricula and informal lifelong learning; * Museums in the Community addresses serious and persistent community needs; * Professional Practices funds professional organizations serving museums to undertake projects that provide technical assistance and training for small museums and professional development opportunities for minorities working in the museum field; and * Museum/Library Collaborations for innovative projects that model how museums and libraries can work together to expand their service to the public, with emphasis on how the community is served, technology is used, or education is enhanced. Along with a series of smaller awards IMLS will offer several special Learning Links awards for amounts ranging between $250,000 and $500,000. IMLS encourages museums to join into partnerships citywide, statewide or within disciplines (i.e. art museums or science museums). These projects can address any of the priorities for National Leadership Grants and demonstrate the strength of collective service through collaboration. Priority will be given to projects that advance service for young children or encourage learning collaborative focusing on science, history, or math. SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS General Operating Support awards reward excellence in museum operations. Over time the program has been credited for improving museum professional practice nationwide and providing an annual nationwide forum to share best practice. One of the greatest benefits of the program is that decisions about allocation of funds are made at the local museum for their highest priority projects. Grants are used for a wide range of activities; they extend educational programming, broaden community outreach, integrate new technologies, conserve fragile collections, and train staff. This category also supports grants for museums to participate in the American Association of Museum's Museum Assessment Program. Hundreds of museums have improved their operations, collections care and community outreach using this program of technical assistance. SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION Museums care for over 750 million objects and specimens that represent our nation's cultural heritage. This program has been credited with improving museums' approach to collections care activities nationwide. Though the Conservation Project Support program and the Conservation Assessment Program museum environments have been improved and millions of objects have been treated so that our grandchildren will have access to the rich cultural resources that they hold in trust. ****** ALAWON (ISSN 1069-7799) is a free, irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office. All materials subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. To subscribe to ALAWON, send the message: subscribe ala-wo [your_firstname] [your_lastname] to listproc@ala.org or go to http://www.ala.org/washoff/alawon. To unsubscribe to ALAWON, send the message: unsubscribe ala-wo to listproc@ala.org. ALAWON archives at http://www.ala.org/washoff/alawon. ALA Washington Office, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 403, Washington, D.C. 20004-1701; phone: 202.628.8410 or 800.941.8478 toll-free; fax: 202.628.8419; e-mail: alawash@alawash.org; Web site: http://www.ala.org/washoff. Executive Director: Emily Sheketoff; Editor: Deirdre Herman. Office of Government Relations: Lynne Bradley, Director; Mary Costabile, Peter Kaplan, Miriam Nisbet and Claudette Tennant. Office for Information Technology Policy: Rick Weingarten, Director; Jennifer Hendrix, Carrie Russell and Saundra Shirley.