Valerie Byrd Fort and I just returned from Washington, DC where we were members of a ten member delegation from South Carolina with representatives from the State Library, Public Libraries, and Academic Libraries. After briefings on Monday and Tuesday, we visited the offices of Senators Graham and DeMint and Representatives Inglis, Clyburn, Wilson, Barrett, Spratt, and Brown on Wednesday. I wanted to share with you the five pertinent issues to all libraries in SC that we discussed.
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Library Services and Technology Act: LSTA funds are used as seed money for certain programs which directly affect us in schools. For example, this money was used to implement DISCUS several years ago, and now the state has taken over funding for it. Money was most recently used for SchoolRooms. We asked that the money be funded at the President’s request of $171.5 million. This funding level will allow full implementation of a 2003 law to provide a more equitable distribution of state formula grants.
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Improving Literacy Through School Libraries is authorized through the No Child Left Behind Act. This program is authorized to receive $250 million, but it has never reached this goal. When the program is funded under $100 million in a fiscal year, then the Secretary awards competitive grants. If it is funded at $100 million or higher, then the program would be distributed as formula grants to state departments of education. In 2008, the program was funded at $19,145,000. In 2007, there were 50 eligible school districts in SC. Only 11 school districts have received funding in previous years. Funding at the $100 million level would definitely increase the number of school districts receiving money.
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We asked for support of the SKILLs (Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries) Act, which requires school districts to ensure that every school within the district employs at least one state-certified library media specialist in each school library.
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We also discussed simplification of the E-rate application and disbursement processes. Money has been left on the table for E-rate because of the complexity of the application process. This would require no legislation, just letters from members of Congress to the FCC asking that the process be simplified.
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Finally, we addressed telecommunications and Broadband issues, especially making sure that all communities have the same services available to them.
The South Carolina Delegation felt that our visits were very successful. Please take a few minutes in your busy day to email your congressman and thank him for LSTA funds that make SchoolRooms and other projects possible. Ask that Improving Literacy Through School Libraries be funded at $100 million. This is a great opportunity for us as it is an election year. Let your voice be heard!
Thank you again for your dedication and service to schools and our children!
Kitt R. Lisenby, President, South Carolina Association of School Librarians
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