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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Fifty-four U.S. Representatives yesterday sent a urging the House to support federal funding to modernize library buildings nationwide.

Led by Reps. Andy Levin (D-MI-9) and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), the comes as Congress prepares to negotiate the fiscal year (FY) 2023 funding bills before current stopgap funding expires on Dec. 16. The letter urges the House to agree to the Senate's proposal of $20 million for Improving Library and Museum Facilities in the final FY 2023 funding bill, passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 28. The funding would be distributed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and would be the first such funding in 26 years. The Senate funding was requested by Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Jon Ossoff (D-GA).

¾«¶«´«Ã½ (ALA) President Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada released the following statement:   

“The ¾«¶«´«Ã½ thanks Representatives Levin and Espaillat and all the congressmembers who have pledged their support for improving America’s library buildings.

“Improving Library and Museum Facilities will help libraries across the country provide great library spaces that serve the needs of everyone in our communities.

“Community members need sound facilities commensurate with the vital services libraries offer, from just learning to read to completing homework, and from finding a job to starting a small business. Elected leaders who champion America’s libraries are investing in a cause that will benefit constituents for years to come.

“Through these last few weeks of the FY 2023 budget process and beyond, ¾«¶«´«Ã½members will advocate for Congress to maintain funding for Improving Library and Museum Facilities and other crucial library programs.”

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