Proposed national revitalisation of libraries

Citation

Fitzsimons, E. (2001), "Proposed national revitalisation of libraries", The Bottom Line, Vol. 14 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/bl.2001.17014cab.004

Proposed national revitalisation of libraries

Proposed national revitalisation of libraries

While the President's proposed budget calls for cutting support for libraries, Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation to the Senate on 2 April that would provide $1 billion in federal grants over five years to allow cities, towns, and counties to build, renovate, and modernise public library facilities. The Andrew Carnegie Libraries for Lifelong Learning Act (S. 671) would also permit libraries to use the grants to purchase computer equipment to "provide access to information in electronic and other formats".

"America's neglected libraries are crumbling", Schumer said at a news conference on 16 April at George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Endicott, New York. "In a modern world where education is the key to success, our libraries are out of date and out of place". David Karre, executive director of the Four County Library System headquartered in Vestal, New York, added, "the strength of Sen. Schumer's proposal is that it provides for renovation as well as new construction, funds to help libraries comply with ADA requirements, and the retrofitting of existing facilities to meet the needs of new technologies". The federal grants would be awarded competitively and matched by state, city, or charitable donations on a dollar-for-dollar basis. http://www.ala.org/alonline/news/2001/010423.html