[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 84 (Monday, June 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE IMPROVING LITERACY THROUGH SCHOOL LIBRARIES 
       PROGRAM AND THE LIBRARY SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY ACT (LSTA)

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                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2009

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of an 
issue which affects the educational well-being of each of us, and in 
particular, our children -- funding for federal library programs, 
particularly the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program 
and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
  As you may know, research has shown that students in schools with 
well-stocked libraries and highly qualified, state-certified school 
librarians have higher levels of academic achievement than students who 
do not have the same benefits. Furthermore, many school libraries have 
become sophisticated 21st century learning environments, offering a 
full range of print and electronic resources, but today only 60 percent 
of school libraries have full-time, state-certified school library 
media specialists on staff. Unfortunately, due to the constraints that 
school administrators must confront when faced with limited resources, 
library resource budgets are often utilized to make up for shortfalls 
in other areas.
  To remedy this situation, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) 
authorized funding for libraries through the Improving Literacy Through 
School Libraries program. While the purpose of the program was 
primarily to encourage reading and improve literacy, it also allocated 
funding for acquiring up-to-date school library media resources, 
acquiring and using advanced technology, facilitating Internet links 
and other resource sharing networks among schools and libraries, 
providing professional development for school library media 
specialists, and providing students with access to school libraries 
during nonschool hours. In recognizing the tremendous benefits of 
library and research technology, the inclusion of this important 
provision in NCLB represented a significant step towards the creation 
of a truly 21st century education system. Unfortunately, like many 
provisions of NCLB, this initiative has been underfunded.
  As you may also be aware, state libraries rely greatly on the funds 
provided through LSTA, which is the only federal program devoted 
exclusively to libraries, to support statewide initiatives and provide 
funds to public, school, academic, research, and special libraries 
through subgrants. The requirement of a state match also helps 
stimulate additional investment in the program, as approximately three 
to four state and local dollars are invested for every one federal 
dollar.
  I have long been a strong supporter of funding for library programs, 
particularly the LSTA state program and the Improving Literacy Through 
School Libraries program, because of the educational opportunities that 
these programs help provide and the important role that they play in 
expanding access to information resources and services for learning in 
all types of libraries for individuals of all ages. I would 
respectfully encourage my colleagues in the House to work together in a 
bipartisan manner to see that, as the Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations 
process moves forward, federal library programs receive the support 
they need to continue helping state and local library programs maintain 
a high level of quality and service.

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