29 April 2004
American Library Association Launch New Database For Library Staff
The American Library Association (ALA) has launched a new anecdotal database that will feature information submitted by library staff and users about local library funding as part of its overall effort to raise awareness about budget cuts nationwide.
These personal reports will supplement published news reports compiled by the ALA over the past 10 months, which are searchable by type of library, name of library or by city.
"This is a critical effort that demands nationwide support and attention to be successful," said ALA President Carla Hayden. "With National Library Legislative Day approaching May 4, I hope all library advocates will log on and tell their stories of how budget cuts are impacting their communities. This information will help us make the case to legislators and other leaders who are in a position to influence library funding."
To view the site, go to www.ala.org/libraryfunding. Scroll down to the Tell Your Story! area to submit your library funding story or to read stories about funding impacts around the country. School, public and academic libraries in more than 40 states have absorbed more than $50 million in funding cuts over the past year, according to news reports.
"It can take years for statistical information gathered by state and national agencies to become available, making it difficult for us to talk in much detail about cuts and their impact while they're happening," said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels. "This new Web site helps us provide information faster, making ALA a more useful resource for libraries and library supporters trying to alert local and national media and the public to library funding cuts."
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