Political Quotes

“Mr. President, to help libraries respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue providing communities with needed services, resources, technology, and broadband access, I am introducing the Library Stabilization Fund Act along with Senators Brown, Booker, Blumenthal, Udall, Cardin, Warren, Whitehouse, Heinrich, Van Hollen, Menendez, Wyden, Hirano, and Markey. Our bill would provide the $2 billion the American Library Association has estimated is necessary for a library stabilization fund under the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on every aspect of our daily lives. Libraries, which anchor our local communities, are no exception. Local budget shortfalls have left libraries to grapple with severe cuts, furloughs of staff, and reduced operations just when communities need their services the most. In addition to providing additional resources to enable schools to reopen safely, close the homework gap, and strengthen the social safety net, we need to invest in libraries to help our communities recover. Libraries are a critical piece of our education, economic development, and social infrastructure.…”