Department of Libraries seeks $2.5M contingency, digitization funding and higher minimum state aid

An Oklahoma Department of Libraries representative told the Senate subcommittee the agency faces uncertainty around federal library funding and asked for a contingency appropriation of just over $2.5 million to maintain statewide services if IMLS support were to end. "This is all based on what happens with federal library funding through IMLS," the director said.

The director also asked for $500,000 one-time to process and digitize the governor's papers, saying only about 10% of the archives are digitized now and the investment would bring the collection closer to 50% online. With current staffing, the agency estimated it would take staff more than two decades to complete the work without outsourcing.

ODL requested recurring funds, including $178,005 to raise minimum state aid payments to libraries from $1,300 to $4,000 and $126,050 for pay-for-performance salary adjustments to move closer to market rates. The director said state aid is about 1% of total library funding statewide, but it can make up a much larger share for small municipal libraries.

Committee members asked about libraries' role in third-grade literacy and whether ODL can provide regionally broken-out data on cardholders and visits. The director said library visit and cardholder statistics are not currently broken down by age but promised to provide available data and further analysis on libraries and literacy.

Lawmakers did not take action at the hearing; ODL agreed to provide requested data to the committee.