July 1 Letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee urging library funding increase

Abstract

We write to urge your support for the education, workforce, and economic development needs of Americans by providing $232 million for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and $24.5 million for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program in the fiscal year 2021 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. At this critical time, libraries are struggling to maintain high level of services to patrons and communities reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and federal support is critical for libraries.