91��ý

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday congressional negotiators reached agreement on a bill to fund the U.S. government through September. The “omnibus” bill included $231 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services – a $1 million increase over FY2016. 91��ý President Julie Todaro released the following statement:

"91��ý is pleased that the FY17 budget proposed by Congress contains a $1 million increase in funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. In congressional meetings on Capitol Hill today, participants in the 2017 National Library Legislative Day from all 50 states are saying “thank you” to members of Congress for making our nation’s libraries a priority this year. This opportunity to say thanks is also a chance to voice our unequivocal opposition to threats to cut funding in FY2018. Now is the time to show our elected leaders how their constituents in every single congressional district rely on our services. Now is the time to galvanize library users, to contact our elected leaders and to invite members of Congress to visit our libraries during the next congressional recess over Memorial Day week. It is up to us to show Congress that libraries may be one of our nation’s best investments."