ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


F eb ru a ry  1 9 9 5 /  79

“ A m e rica n s C an’ t W ait . . .  P a ss a B uck”

This National Library Week, April 9 -15, ALA 
and library advocates across the country aim 
to send a special message to 
Congress— “Pass a Buck for Li­
braries.”

“Americans can’t wait for 
our nation’s libraries to have 
the information they need ,” 
said Patricia Glass Schuman, a 
p ast-p resid en t o f ALA and 
chair of the “Americans Can’t 
Wait” campaign. “Having ac­
curate, current information is 
critical to our jobs, our stu­
dents’ education, the health 
and well-being of our fami­
lies.”

Schuman, who is also chair 
o f ALA’s Legislation Commit­
tee, said that libraries now re­
ceive only 57 cents per person from federal 
tax dollars, that funding for college and research
libraries has been cut, and that there is no fed­
eral funding for school libraries.

“That’s why w e’re asking Congress to ‘Pass 
a Buck’ for libraries,” Schuman said. “That’s 
only 43 cents more but it will help prepare our
libraries for the 21st century.”

Schuman noted that many public, school, 
and college libraries can’t keep up with the 
worldwide explosion o f information. “Our
nation’s leaders say they want libraries to be

 

 

 

part of the information superhighway but it 
takes more than good intentions. We need lead­

ership and a commitment o f 
funds at the highest level.” 

She urged all library staff, 
friends groups, trustees, and 
supporters to call, write, or 
e-mail their Congressional rep­
resentatives to register their 
support.

In 1995 ALA will seek in­
creased funding for college 
and research libraries under 
the Higher Education Act and 
renewal o f the Library Services 
and Construction Act (LSCA) or 
similar legislation with a spe­
cial focus on helping public li­
braries acquire new technol­
ogy. It will also urge funding 

for school library media centers as authorized, 
but not allocated, under the 1994 Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act.

“These are important issues for all types of 
libraries. It’s time the entire library community—  
our users and supporters as well as librarians—  
speak out,” Schuman explained.

For more information about the campaign, 
including camera-ready art to print “Pass a 
Buck” postcards, contact the ALA Public Infor­
mation Office, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 
60611.