The ALA Washington Office has just posted information about the FY 2012 budget bill that has gone to the President’s desk. Good news for school libraries:
In the new federal budget, congress appropriated $28.6 million for literacy. A minimum of half, or $14.3 million must go to low income school libraries while the rest of the money will go to national not-for-profits that work for childhood literacy.
And for those of you who work with LSTA funds:
This budget appropriates money for the Institutes of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) which includes $185 million for LSTA funding. This is a 2.3 percent cut from the FY ’11 amount of $189 million. Under LSTA; Grants to States was appropriated at $156.6 million….
Read the entire post here: http://www.districtdispatch.org/2011/12/congress-passes-fy-2012-budget/
Please take a moment to say thank you to your members of Congress and remind them about the importance of inclusion of school library programs in ESEA! Finally, I would urge you to say a special thank you to Sen. Jack Reed from Rhode Island, who championed the legislation throughout the process!
Julie A. Walker
Executive Director
American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
50 E. Huron
Chicago, IL 60611
1-800-545-2433 x4388
Direct: 312-280-4388
FAX: 312-280-5276
Delve deeper into the tools designed to bring your school library program to the next level…
Tools for Transforming your School Library Program
AASL Pre-Midwinter Institute
January 20, 2012
ALA 2012 Midwinter Meeting
Dallas, Texas