ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline Volume 11, Number 29 April 10, 2002 In This Issue: MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES ACT HEARING HELD ON APRIL 10 On Wednesday, April 10, 2002, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) opened the Senate hearing on reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act by saying that "the library is the place where love of reading is born." He said museums "celebrate our heritage and our heroes," adding that federal support for libraries began in 1956, while federal programs for museums began in 1976. The Institute for Museum and Library Services was created in 1996. Reed thanked Senator Jeffords (VT) and Senator Pell, his predecessor from Rhode Island for their support of the legislation and he thanked Senator Kennedy (D-MA) for his support. Reed said a key library group proposal that he was particularly interested in was the proposal to double the minimum state allotment, which had not changed since 1971. He said the House had already taken action to increase the amount, but he would be in favor of doubling the amount to $680,000 which would help many small states. He concluded that he hoped the Senate could move forward on a bipartisan basis to a swift reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act. In their opening statements, Senators Collins (R-ME) and Enzi (R-WY) echoed the support for an increase in the base allocation, and both told stories of using and visiting their local libraries. Senator Collins said her first working experience was at her library in Caribou, Maine. Senator Enzi complimented his state librarian, Lesley Boughton, who has worked hard to ensure that communities have access to electronic services and that librarians get continuing education and training. Robert Martin, Director of IMLS, said that the new agency created in the 104th Congress was "a success." Martin detailed the vast resources contained in museums and libraries and described how these institutions contributed to lifelong learning and education. He said the House bill H.R. 3784 would establish one museum and library board under a single statute and this would be a most effective and efficient way to operate. Senator Reed questioned Martin as to his support for a change in the minimum base allotment, and Martin responded that this had been agreed upon by the state library agencies and the larger states came together to support it. He said he felt that commitment should be honored. Reed asked about the relationship between school libraries and IMLS activities. Martin explained that in 1996 the definition of library had been enlarged to encompass school and academic libraries. He said that through state library administrative agencies school libraries had been given access to statewide networks and to digital networks. Since the availability of funding is limited, funds have not been provided for computer equipment, staff or collection development. David Macksam, Director of the Cranston Public Library in Cranston, Rhode Island, and Joseph Philips, Director of the Maine State Museum presented testimony as the second panel. Macksam made a strong case for an overall increase for the Library Services and Technology Act to an authorized level of $500 million to "address more of the nation's library needs." (See www.ala.org/washoff/newmarksum.pdf for his testimony). He cited the larger number of libraries that the legislation included in 1996 as a reason for the increase. Macksam detailed the statewide summer reading program that reached more than 17,000 children in 2000 as an example of a successful LSTA-supported program. He said the federal contribution had stimulated contributions from both the Rhode Island School of Design (whose students had competed to create art for the materials), and McDonalds restaurants that had given coupons for participants who completed reading programs. Maksam said if the base amount is increased from the 1970 level to $680,000, then states like Rhode Island could accomplish much more in terms of service to populations in the state. John Philips said that the Maine State Museum had 100,000 visitors annually and held special programs in the summer for camp groups. He described a project which was an outgrowth of a grant received from IMLS. A collaboration was begun with MTVC, public television in Maine that has resulted in work on web site production as well as a program, the "Story of Maine." He cited the effects of the federal stimulus as also encouraging local contributions. He requested an increase in the museum funds to a level of $80 million. ****** 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. 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