U.S. Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) are among the original cosponsors of a newly introduced bipartisan, bicameral bill to reauthorize the Museum and Library Services Act.
H.R. 6988 and S. 3530 would renew federal museum and library grant funding programs administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), according to an Oct. 1 statement released by Rep. Hurd’s office.
“Our public libraries, especially in rural areas, go far beyond simply providing books,” said Rep. Hurd. “They serve as the primary provider of literacy programming, technology training and job seeking assistance in many communities I represent across south and west Texas.”
Rep. Hurd represents the 23rd Congressional District in Texas, which includes more than 100 school districts and public and college libraries. Texas public libraries receive almost $11 million in annual federal funding grants, which “directly serves libraries across our state and is vital for their continued success,” he said.
H.R. 6988, introduced on Sept. 28 by U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), includes U.S. Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) as an original cosponsor. The identical S. 3530, also introduced on Sept. 28 by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), has 12 cosponsors, 11 of them original cosponsors led by Sen. Collins.
“From offering job search resources and free Internet access to exposing children and families to literary and educational experiences, libraries and museums serve vital roles in our communities,” Sen. Collins said.
Reauthorization of the measure would boost the nation’s commitment to these community-enriching institutions, she added.
“I urge my colleagues to join this effort to improve and update programs that help libraries and museums across Maine and the United States,” said Sen. Collins.
Rep. Grijalva added that he looks forward to working with his House and Senate colleagues “to ensure libraries and museums have the necessary resources to modernize their services and solidify their role as the technological hubs of communities across the country.”
American Library Association (ALA) President Loida Garcia-Febo praised the new legislation and said the association “appreciates the many ways this bill builds on the successes of previous reauthorizations of the IMLS.”
The IMLS administers library programs through the Library Services and Technology Act, the sole federal program supporting services and funding for libraries. The law provides more than $186.3 million for libraries through several grant programs, including Grants to States and the Native American Library Services, Garcia-Febo said.
“We applaud all of the hard work to ensure this legislation equitably distributes Library Services and Technology Act funds to large and small states, expands eligibility for tribal libraries, supports disaster readiness, and reinforces ALA’s message that strong communities need strong libraries,” added Garcia-Febo.
In Texas, the proposal and efforts by the lawmakers also garnered support from Dana Braccia, executive director of the Texas Library Association, and Mark Smith, director of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
H.R. 6988 has been referred to the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee for consideration, while S. 3530 is under consideration by members of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.