dec08c.indd


W. Alston Roberts III W a s h i n g t o n  H o t l i n e  

ALA seeks $100 million in stimulus 
funding as U.S. libraries face critical 
cutbacks, closures 
ALA is asking Congress for $100 million in 
stimulus funding to aid the nation’s working 
families during the current economic crisis. 
Aid is sought to stem the bleeding of critical 
library services that help Americans with job 
searches, small business development, fi nan­
cial literacy, and other essential assistance in 
hard economic times. 

Public libraries are facing the most severe 
cutbacks in decades as budget shortfalls hit cit­
ies, towns, and rural areas across the country, 
according to ALA. From Los Angeles to Bos­
ton, libraries are cutting hours and services; 
some are even facing the threat of closure at a 
time when their support is needed most. ALA’s 
recommendation was made the last week of 
October when Congress held hearings on 
economic growth and job creation. 

Public libraries depend heavily on local 
property taxes to maintain operations. Across 
the country, increased foreclosure rates, lower 
home values, and fewer sales have sharply 
reduced available funds, forcing libraries to 
cut services and hours. 

“America’s free public libraries provide a 
lifeline for citizens in need across the country,” 
said ALA President Jim Rettig. 

“Ensuring Internet access, career work­
shops, business seminars, and other economic 
support services are vital links in the nation’s 
financial recovery. This is no time to cut 
much­needed support, reduce hours, or close 
library doors.” 

Rettig pointed to a recent ALA study show­
ing that 73 percent of all libraries nationwide 
provide the only free Internet access in their 
communities. 

In rural areas the rate rises to 83 percent, 
according to the 2007–2008 report on public 
library funding and technology access. Many 

W. Alston Roberts III is communications director at ALA’s 
Washington Offi  ce, e-mail: wroberts@alawash.org 

libraries are reporting double­digit growth in 
computer use this year, Rettig said. 

The National League of Cities recently es­
timated that a 3.6 percent decline in property 
tax revenues is likely to affect city budgets 
until 2010. In response to these budget 
shortfalls, libraries are being forced to cut 
back on hours or even close neighborhood 
branches. 

The Trenton, New Jersey, public library 
will close its four branches and lose about 
half of its 57 employees by November 1. The 
City of Milwaukee is considering closing two 
of its 12 branch libraries. In Newton, Mas­
sachusetts, outside of Boston, four branch 
libraries closed this summer; four others in 
nearby areas also closed or are on the chop­
ping block. 

Many cities are choosing between cutting 
staff and reducing hours. Others, such as 
Fort Worth, Texas, are looking at both, with 
proposed cuts of more than 100 library jobs 
along with reduced hours. The city is facing 
an estimated annual shortfall of more than $20 
million. Additionally, a number of communi­
ties are also facing shorter hours and fewer 
days of operation for libraries in Florida. 

ALA’s recommendation for stimulus fund­
ing seeks support for basic library services 
across the country as well as specialized 
assistance to help Americans deal with the 
current economic crisis. In particular, funds 
are being requested to: 

• expand critical employment activities 
and services, such as resume development, 
job bank Web searches, and career planning 
workshops; 

• reinstate or supplement evening and 
weekend hours of operation at libraries to pro­
vide the greatest possible access to services; 

• promote financial literacy, housing 
counseling, and small business development 
assistance; and 

• acquire additional resources and materi­
als to help keep up with increased demand 
for economic services nationwide. 

C&RL News December 2008  738 

mailto:wroberts@alawash.org