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Build America's Libraries Act

Introduced on January 28, 2021 in the Senate by Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), along with Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), as well as on March 3, 2021 in the House by Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI-9) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK), the Build America's Libraries Act would fund upgrades to the nation's library infrastructure to address challenges such as natural disasters, broadband capacity, environmental hazards, and accessibility barriers. This groundbreaking legislation would pave the way for new and improved library facilities in underserved communities across the country. Join us in the effort to support this bill and #BuildLibraries.

This year's legislative session has seen many twists, but we are focused on delivering for libraries across the country with an historic investment in library infrastructure. As Congress crafts a $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation plan, we need to make it clear: libraries must be included. The Senate has given September 15th, 2021 as the date for committees to finish their work in allocating the $3.5 trillion among different legislative priorities. Now is the time for us to speak up and tell Congress that an investment in libraries is an investment in all Americans. Take action and tell your legislators that they must #BuildLibraries and include the Build America's Libraries Act in the budget reconciliation plan.

Senate Co-Sponsors

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House Co-Sponsors

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Resources

• ¾«¶«´«Ã½one-pager: Build America's Libraries Act
• ¾«¶«´«Ã½Data Brief: America's libraries need billions of dollars for construction & renovation
• : ¾«¶«´«Ã½acclaims reintroduction of Build America's Libraries Act (January 29, 2021)
• : ¾«¶«´«Ã½praises House introduction of Build America's Libraries Act (March 3, 2021)
• Sample Letter to the Editor: Support the Build America's Libraries Act
• : S. 127
• : H.R. 1581

What are the biggest challenges you face in your library facilities? What impact would this legislation have on your community? to help make the case for federal support for library construction and modernization. Your elected officials want to hear concrete examples of impact and need from their constituents - increase your impact by sharing your story. Check out this example from Cuyahoga County Public Library in Ohio to understand what details can be most helpful in advocating for your community.

Endorsements

Supporters of the Build America’s Libraries Act:

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• AFL-CIO
• Afterschool Alliance
• Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• American Federation of Teachers
• American Indian Library Association
• American Institute of Architects
• ¾«¶«´«Ã½
• American Society of Civil Engineers
• American Society of Interior Designers
• Association for Rural & Small Libraries
• Association of Research Libraries
• Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums
• Chief Officers of State Library Agencies
• Council of State Archivists
• Education Market Association
• First Focus Campaign for Children
• International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers
• International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
• International WELL Building Institute
• MomsRising
• National Association of Counties
• National Coalition for History
• National Coalition for Literacy
• National Digital Inclusion Alliance
• National Humanities Alliance
• National League of Cities
• National Summer Learning Association
• North America's Building Trades Unions
• Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition
• Society of American Archivists
• Southern Education Foundation
• Urban Libraries Council

Media Coverage

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• : Let's look ahead with federal library funding now (October 10, 2022)
• : Guest: Public libraries shouldn't have to operate in outdated facilities (October 9, 2022)
• : Maine Voices: We have a rare opportunity to improve local libraries (October 7, 2022)
• : Opinion: To strengthen our communities, we must fortify our public libraries (September 8, 2022)
• : Libraries are essential and need Congressional support (October 24, 2021)
• : Federal funding would be a game-changer for San Francisco's beloved libraries (September 22, 2021)
• : Time running out for library funding opportunity (September 21, 2021)
• : Libraries are anchors of our communities. They need help. (September 14, 2021)
• : Why investing in libraries is a climate justice issue (September 13, 2021)
• : Need for costly repairs is forcing the temporary closure of two Cheltenham libraries (September 12, 2021)
• : New library buildings reinvestment in communities, requiring fundamental shift in services (September 7, 2021)
• : Leaky roofs, bad plumbing, no internet: advocates say America's libraries need $32 billion for infrastructure upgrades (September 7, 2021)
• : Congress must invest in our well-loved, aging libraries (September 3, 2021)
• : Library infrastructure and funding (August 6, 2021)
• : An inflection point for libraries (August 6, 2021)
• : Investment in library infrastructure is critical and overdue (August 3, 2021)
• : Let's write Richmond's next chapter by investing in our libraries (July 28, 2021)
• : Make room at the infrastructure table for libraries (July 27, 2021)
• : Saving libraries - It's a critical time for funding legislation (July 27, 2021)
• : Libraries' upkeep funding (July 22, 2021)
• : Nation's libraries need federal aid (July 18, 2021)
• : Support crucial for building libraries, and a better Louisville (July 12, 2021)
• : Libraries are the foundation of SC communities. Invest in them (July 8, 2021)
• : US libraries hope for billions in federal aid for infrastructure (July 8, 2021)
• : Historic budget: CA leads in library modernization. Will Feds follow? (July 2, 2021)
• : Local libraries key infrastructure for community (June 20, 2021)
• : Bolstering West Virginia's infrastructure (June 14, 2021)
• : Library legislation we can all agree on (June 4, 2021)
• : Build America's Libraries Act seeks to keep libraries safe, accessible to everyone (June 1, 2021)
• : Proposed federal legislation would benefit Erie County's public libraries (May 24, 2021)
• : First, let's put federal funding back into Delaware libraries (May 24, 2021)
• : Why we need to talk about libraries now (May 22, 2021)
• : That 70's library: Time for a reboot, Alaska (May 21, 2021)
• Our state would benefit from the Build America's Libraries Act (May 20, 2021)
• : Libraries need to be part of infrastructure repair (May 19, 2021)
• : Other voices: Build America's Libraries Act (May 9, 2021)
• : Congress must bail out Tacoma, Washington state libraries (May 8, 2021)
• : Public libraries, and investing in the next chapter (May 7, 2021)
• : What if America fully funded its public libraries? (May 4, 2021)
• : Federal money for public libraries (May 2, 2021)
• : Federal bill can help improve, rebuild Hampton Roads libraries (April 17, 2021)
• : Libraries are a community's cornerstone (April 15, 2021)
• : As Denver's libraries reopen, the need for federal help becomes more critical (April 15, 2021)
• : Mayor's Message | More new libraries on the way (April 10, 2021)
• : Looking to strengthen communities on a budget? Invest in our libraries (April 8, 2021)
• : Investing in libraries ensures a stronger Louisville for generations (April 7, 2021)
• : Time to invest in our libraries (April 7, 2021)
• : Amid information explosion, libraries have become more relevant, not less (April 7, 2021)
• : From steel to fiber, libraries are American infrastructure (April 5, 2021)
• : Libraries are essential and they need help (April 2, 2021)
• : Editorial, Build America's Libraries Act could help McAlester (March 17, 2021)
• : Federal proposal focused on building and renovating libraries (March 9, 2021)
• : Now is the time to rebuild our libraries (March 5, 2021)