The State Library of Iowa uses federal funds to operate a state wide delivery service. This service is called IA Shares. Federal funding makes it possible for our local library to request/receive items from other libraries without charging! Both out interlibrary loan service and our 7 library consortium in Sioux County rely on this IA Shares courier service for deliveries.
The State Library of Iowa also uses federal funds to support the Bridges platform. Bridges is the eBook and audiobook buying consortium for Iowa public libraries.
Libraries are concerned about losing this funding and it will affect you. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) receives .003% of the federal budget. A portion of that comes to the State Library of Iowa through the Grants to States program. The State Library of Iowa uses this funding to do BIG projects that benefit even the smallest library! State wide delivery is one of those projects.
How to Help in 3 Steps!
- Call your congress members in Washington DC.
- Ask them to support federal funding for libraries, specifically the IMLS Grants to States program.
- Encourage others to make calls in support of federal library funding!
In the Orange City Public Library Service area call:
Sen. Joni Ernst: 202-224-3254
Sen. Chuck Grassley: 202-224-3744
Rep. Randy Feenstra: 202-225-4426
and ONE MORE (important)
IA Rep. Ashley Hinson: 202-225-2911, House Committee on Appropriations