I can't thank you all enough for how you all pulled through in such a short notice. Over 150 people took action to email Senator Alexander in two days! Thank you so much, and while we didn't get the win we wanted in the COVID bill, libraries have had so many wins at a time when we desperately needed them—thanks to your efforts!

Thanks again!

Y'all stay safe and have a great holiday! 

Appreciatively,

Sharon Edwards

From: Marijke Visser <[log in to unmask]>
Date: December 22, 2020 at 1:29:29 PM CST
To: sharonedwards405 <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Covid relief bill update



Hello Sharon,

 

Here is one more update from us. Please feel free to share the following with your network- we hope it helps make clear just how much we appreciate everyone who stepped up! (rest assured I’m remembering exactly how impressive TN folk are in a pinch 😉)

 

ALA policy staff worked diligently last night to sift through the final text of the bill, highlighting any key information relevant to libraries. As promised, we wanted to reach back out to you and provide some general messaging that you can use to relay the important details of the bills to your own communities. Attached to this email is a comprehensive PDF document summary that you can share among your network, and below are a few elements to be sure to include in your messaging: 

·       On December 21, after much deliberation over the weekend, Congress released and passed a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending package, avoiding a government shutdown moments before the midnight deadline. The omnibus bill included the Fiscal Year (FY)2021 budget that will keep the federal government funded through September 30 of next year.  

·       The FY2021 budget includes a $5 million increase from the previous year for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), including $2 million for the Library Services and Technology Act. Despite threats by the White House to eliminate the agency completely for four consecutive years, funding for the IMLS has increased from $231 million to $257 million. Additionally, the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program received a $1 million increase, which has a perennial target for elimination by this Administration. At least half of the $28 million total budget for the IAL is dedicated for school libraries.   

·       Despite a herculean effort, there is no direct funding for libraries through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) included in the final COVID-19 relief bill. While efforts throughout the weekend to get libraries directly into the final bill were not successful, advocacy efforts throughout the year from ALA advocates at both the grassroots and grasstops levels have helped make major inroads with Congress.  

·       The COVID relief bill does however provide direct assistance for many of the community members libraries serve. In addition to the individual $600 stimulus checks, the legislation provides emergency benefits to cover the cost of broadband for qualifying low-income households and those that include recently unemployed individuals, with additional benefits for households on Tribal lands. The bill also revives the Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans for qualified businesses. Many library organizations that have 501(c)(6) status are now eligible for the program.  

 

ALA will engage early on with the 117^th Congress, and is already engaging with the incoming Biden Administration to ensure direct support for libraries as America begins to recover from the pandemic. The tireless work of ALA advocates at all levels have maintained support for libraries on the federal level, and we are excited to see what we can accomplish together in 2021.  

 

Thanks again for your incredible efforts this weekend and throughout the year, and I hope you have a peaceful holiday. 

 

All the best,

Marijke