| Library group throws book at Bush over proposed cuts 04/13/2001 By Charles Ornstein / The Dallas Morning News WASHINGTON – A week ago, first lady and former school librarian Laura Bush kicked off a national campaign for America's libraries, calling them "community treasure chests, loaded with a wealth of information available to everyone, equally."
This week, President Bush proposed cutting federal spending on libraries by $39 million.
Library representatives call the president's $168 million budget request inadequate and say they will turn to Congress to increase funding.
"Mrs. Bush understands very well how libraries are serving this nation's communities," says Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the Washington office of the American Library Association. "Certainly, the budget doesn't reflect that."
Government officials say the budget maintains this year's funding level for library programs and competitive grants awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, part of the Interior Department.
The cuts target specific library initiatives hand-picked by members of Congress. This year's list includes a $461,000 grant to Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
Throughout the budget, Mr. Bush has tried to eliminate pet projects inserted by individual lawmakers, said White House spokeswoman Jeanie Mamo.
"It's not a reflection of his commitment to libraries," she said. "The president has said repeatedly that he's committed to education and the reading initiative, which is a very large chunk of the budget."
As in the past, the biggest share of the proposed federal library spending – $149 million – would be distributed to states based on population. In this fiscal year, Texas will receive nearly $10 million to create programs or distribute to local libraries.
"This budget will do wonderful things for libraries across the country," said Mamie Bittner, a spokeswoman for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. "Libraries spend money very well. They serve their communities very well."
In each of the last four years, Congress provided libraries with more money than former President Bill Clinton requested. Mr. Clinton's 2001 request was $173 million, about $5 million more than Mr. Bush's proposal for the coming year.
The library association, which represents 61,000 librarians, asked for $350 million in federal funding under the Library Services and Technology Act. The money is used to enhance technology and provide outreach to certain groups, such as people with disabilities.
While the $39 million cut isn't large in the context of a $1.96 trillion budget, it is a significant chunk of the federal contribution to libraries, advocates said. The funding could underwrite the cost of 867 librarians at an average salary of $46,000. Or it could buy nearly 1.1 million hardcover books or 161,463 magazine subscriptions.
While Ms. Sheketoff criticized the budget level, she declined to say whether she thought Mrs. Bush should have tried to secure more money. Mrs. Bush's office did not return calls seeking comment.
"We really thought if they were serious about education, they would give us somewhere close to the resources that are needed," Ms. Sheketoff said. "But it's just the beginning of the process. We have friends in Congress who know what we can do for this country, and we're hopeful that they will give us the resources that will let us do that."
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