[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN SUPPORT OF FUNDING FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 18, 2011

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose Rep. Scott 
Garrett's amendment to the FY2011 Continuing Resolution. His proposal 
to erase funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services will 
effectively eliminate all specific federal funding for libraries. Doing 
so would cut off access to information for millions of Americans.
  I believe our government needs to be more fiscally responsible, but 
as the son a librarian, I know the high cost these cuts will have in 
the long term. If we are serious about competing in a global economy, 
we must provide our children with the tools and resources to succeed, 
and cutting funds for our libraries will only hinder our chance to win 
the future.
  As a nation, we cannot afford to cut ourselves off from such 
necessary tools for economic recovery as books, periodicals, 
newspapers, the internet, and the bevy of information our public 
libraries provide. If funding for public libraries is removed, the 
Georgia Public Library Service will no longer be able to provide the 
following:
  The statewide network of high-speed Internet data lines providing 
access to all 400+ libraries in Georgia
  The award-winning, nationally-recognized PINES network and statewide 
library card system, which is used by more than 2.4 million Georgians 
and provides statewide lending via a shared database of more than 10 
million items
  A Statewide daily courier service for interlibrary loans to the 
headquarters of all 61 public library systems in Georgia--nearly 1 
million books shared in this way
  ``Talking book'' library services for the blind and other Georgians 
whose physical abilities require the use of books and magazines in 
audio format or in Braille--encompassing more than 1 million annual 
circulations
  The GALILEO online databases, which contain essential quality digital 
resources for students (kindergarten through higher education), 
teachers, professors and public library users
  The statewide Summer Reading Program, which served approximately 
450,000 children in 2010--an increase of more than 10 percent from 2009
  Shared services that provide necessary OCLC cataloging information 
and interlibrary loan access to every library in the state
  Continuing education programs and training for library staff who work 
in all types of libraries--public, university, K-12 and specialized--
and for trustees
  Consulting services to assist in improving local library operations 
in technology, governance, services to children, and other areas.
  As we bounce back from the recession, it is clear that more Georgians 
are turning to our public libraries for informational and educational 
needs. Libraries play a critical role in workforce recovery and 
economic development throughout our state. These funds allow Georgia's 
libraries to take advantage of economies of scale that benefit all 
libraries. The loss of these critical funds would force the elimination 
of services essential to Georgia residents of all ages--and this, Mr. 
Speaker, is at a cost we cannot afford!

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