ERIC Number: ED521180
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Apr
Pages: 8
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Majority of States Report Decline in Support for Library Services. Research Brief Number 3
Henderson, Everett; Lonergan, James
Institute of Museum and Library Services
For over a half a century, State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) have played a key role in the development and delivery of library services in the United States. While the organization and responsibilities of these agencies vary from state to state, they have two things in common: state-level planning for library services and administration of federal Library Services and Technology Act funds. These agencies bolster learning opportunities in their states, improve library services with cutting edge technologies and resources, and encourage resource sharing among all types of libraries across the state. Results from the most recent State Library Agency Survey (fiscal year [FY] 2009), which was released in March of 2010, paint a stark picture of the budget and staffing realities faced by these agencies. Overall, budgets were reduced by 2.6 percent and staff cut by 6.7 percent from the previous year. This represents a particularly significant and sudden reduction in staff and revenues for many state agencies. This brief is intended to provide policymakers at the local, state, and federal level with a detailed look at the current budget situation and its impact on library services and to share some strategies that individual states are pursuing to adjust to the new fiscal reality. (Contains 4 figures and 9 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Government Libraries, Library Services, Shared Resources and Services, Federal Legislation, Library Role, Libraries, Surveys, Budgets, Library Development, Librarians, Library Materials, Partnerships in Education, Librarian Teacher Cooperation, Library Administration, Full Time Equivalency, Library Personnel
Institute of Museum and Library Services. 1800 M Street NW 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20036-5802. Tel: 202-653-4657; Fax: 202-653-4600; e-mail: imlsinfo@imls.gov; Web site: http://www.imls.gov
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Institute of Museum and Library Services
Identifiers - Location: United States
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Library Services and Technology Act 1996
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A