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Library leaders ask Columbia County for support as federal library funding is cut
Summary
Leaders of the Columbia County Libraries Association asked the Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution backing libraries after an executive order reduced funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services; speakers warned the cut could reduce state-level support that reaches local libraries.
Leaders of the Columbia County Libraries Association urged the Columbia County Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution supporting public libraries after an executive order on March 14 reduced funding at the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, a speaker said.
Tammy Danslow, director of the Rojan Library and chair of the Columbia County Libraries Association, told the board the independent federal agency IMLS provides funding to the New York State Library, which then distributes support to local systems and libraries. Danslow said local libraries do not receive direct IMLS payments but depend on the State Library’s pass-through funding, and she described the current funding environment as “a crucial time” for libraries’ ability to serve residents.
Theo Scoop, director of the Claverack (transcript: Claverick) Library and vice chair of the Columbia County Libraries Association, joined Danslow in asking supervisors to consider the county resolution backing libraries at the state and national level. Supervisor Dvoracek recognized a named library association contact before the speakers presented.
The transcript shows the association’s resolution was offered to the board for consideration during the meeting; the clerk later advanced a group of resolutions that included a set of items the board moved for adoption. The transcript does not attach a specific resolution number to the library-support resolution in the portions provided; the board signaled support during the resolutions portion of the meeting and adopted a bundle of resolutions later in the session.
Clarifying details recorded in the meeting: the March 14 executive order reduced IMLS funding; the State Library receives IMLS funds and those funds support the county library system; no dollar amounts were specified in the speakers' remarks. The transcript records thanks from supervisors for the speakers’ presentation and no public opposition during the meeting.
