National Library Week: Take Action for Libraries

Image courtesy of American Library Association

Take Action for Libraries Day
Join with libraries and communities to safeguard funding for the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which serves as a critical funding resource for libraries and museums in every state. IMLS funding supports literacy programs for youth, small business service centers, services for veterans, and much more.

During Take Action for Libraries Day, the American Library Association (ALA) encourages communities, library employees, and library patrons to advocate for full funding of IMLS to safeguard federal funding for our nation’s libraries. Please fight for libraries by making at least five calls to your federal legislators to ask for full support of IMLS funding.

“We must stand-up and voice our support for libraries to legislators and local, state and federal leaders,” said ALA President Julie Todaro. “Librarians and library workers transform lives every day though educational resources and expert guidance. While many value the contributions of libraries, libraries can’t live on love alone. The loss of crucial federal funding will have a profound impact on library service and the more than 1. 5 billion who rely on them.

In Philadelphia, IMLS and other federal funding is used to support print and digital collections, databases and business resources. Cuts at the federal level will negatively impact library job training. Literacy services that are available to the city’s most vulnerable and marginalized members will be reduced or eliminated. Philadelphia’s unemployed, low literacy, and immigrant populations will have fewer resources to choose from, and the thousands of citizens that rely on the library for internet access will experience a deeper digital divide.

Shippensburg-area federal legislators include:
Senator Toomey, Senator Casey
Representative Perry (4th District), Representative Shuster (9th District), Representative Marino (10th District), Representative Barletta (11th district)
Map of PA Congressional Districts