For Immediate Release
Office of Mrs. Bush
January 23, 2003
Laura Bush Announces $20 Million to Help Offset National Shortage of Librarians
President Bush's 2004 Budget Recommends Record-Level Funding for Nation's Libraries and Museums
Washington, D.C. -- Laura Bush announced today that the
President's Bush's 2004 budget will include a proposal for increased
funding for the nation's libraries and museums. The President's 2004
proposed budget will be sent to Congress on February 3, 2003.
"Along with our homes and schools, libraries and museums
provide the strongest foundation for learning in our communities," Mrs.
Bush said. "Museum directors and librarians educate and inform the
public, and and by doing so, by doing so, strengthen our great
democracy."
Over the next 16 years, America's libraries are projected to lose
58 percent of their professional librarians. The President's budget
proposal addresses this loss with a special focus on recruiting and
training the next generation of librarians. Last year, the President's
budget included $10 million for this initiative. This year, the budget
requests $20 million for this initiative.
Dr. Robert Martin, IMLS Director noted, "In preparing to make the
first grants for this initiative, we heard compelling stories about the
need for librarians and a wealth of ideas for creative solutions. The
library community is grateful to the President and Mrs. Bush for their
commitment to learning and to libraries."
The 2004 budget request includes a total of approximately $242
million for museums and libraries, which is a 15 percent increase over
last year's request. Federal funding for the 122,000 libraries and
15,000 museums in the United States is administered by the Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Grants from IMLS help libraries and museums use new technology;
attract state and local support; preserve our cultural heritage; and
bring information, knowledge, and ideas to children, families, schools
and communities.
For more information, contact Eileen Maxwell, IMLS public affairs
specialist, at (202) 606-8339.
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