ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


W A S H I N G T O N  H O T L I N E by Carol C. Henderson 
Deputy Director 

ALA Washington Office

NEH grants to independent research libraries. At a December 8 ceremony 
at the White House, the National Endowment for the Humanities launched a 
$5,325,000 special initiative for independent research libraries. Thirteen 
libraries are receiving grants ranging from $100,000 to $2 million which mus 
be matched three to one from non-federal sources. The NEH press release 
noted three reasons for making the grants: 1) independent research libraries 
collect, preserve, and promote research in important records of the past; 
2) these libraries have demonstrated that they can carry out their mission 
intelligently and efficiently; and 3) they need substantial financial assis­
tance to continue providing their basic services.

President Reagan met with the library directors and made remarks at the 
ceremony. In a prepared statement he said: "Our research libraries are 
repositories for the accumulated knowledge and teaching of civilization. 
We owe it to ourselves and our children to preserve these rich treasures for 
the generations to come.... Independent research libraries play a vital role 
in the cultural life of our nation. As centers for research and learning, 
they reflect our collective commitment to education and to intellectual free­
dom and growth— the survival of these institutions is essential.” He also 
emphasized the expected private sector contributions.

Recipient Libraries Amount of NEH Grant

American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. $ 400,000
American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia 175,000
Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C. 500,000
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 200,000
Huntington Library, San Marino, California 500,000
Library Company of Philadelphia 100,000
Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston 100,000
Newberry Library, Chicago 750,000
New York Academy of Medicine, New York City 100,000
New York Historical Society, New York City 100,000
New York Public Library, New York City 2,000,000
Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City 300,000
Virginia Historical Society, Richmond 100,000

Senate Committee votes research library increase. On December 8 the 
Senate Appropriations Committee approved a slight increase in the Higher 
Education Act Title II-C Research Library Program— from $5,760,000 to $6 
million. The Committee approved the current level of $1,920,000 for the 
HEA II-A College Library Program but warned that future funding might 
depend on establishment of a needs criteria so that funds went only to 
the most deserving institutions. The House has passed the current levels 
of funding for college, research, and public libraries, and these levels 
are most likely to be carried forward into law. However, the Senate Com­
mittee action is encouraging, especially in light of the Administration’s 
proposal to eliminate all library programs.

January 1983 /  5