The American Library Association Washington Office (ALA WO) recently announced a web site, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 101, www.ala.org/knowyourstimulus, to help librarians understand the application of the “stimulus package” to libraries.

From the ALA WO February 19 District Dispatch: “On February 18, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum to all federal agencies establishing requirements for how the agencies shall implement programs and activities funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The guidance contains a timeline and steps the agencies must take to ensure quick implementation of the ARRA. The guidance is intended to cover only the first phase of implementation of the ARRA. More detailed guidance covering a fuller range of items will be issued in 30-60 days.”

In brief this is how ALA WO sees the Act playing out:

$7.2 Billion for Broadband – Public libraries and community college libraries should be able to tap into $200 million in competitive grants for expanding public computer capacity. Additionally, this includes $650 million for DTV, of which $90 million may be used by organizations, including libraries, for education and outreach to vulnerable populations including one-on-one assistance for box installation

$53.6 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund – fit. $39.5 billion for education using existing funding formulas, can be used for preventing cutbacks, preventing layoffs, school modernization (school libraries will benefit from this), or other purposes and $8.8 billion for state fiscal relief for high-priority needs such as public safety and other critical services (including public libraries), renovation and repairs of public school facilities and institutions of higher education facilities

An additional $120 million for the Senior Community Service Employment Program – This funding will provide community service jobs at nonprofit and public facilities, including libraries, for an additional 24,000 older Americans. The Senior Community Service Employment Program is a community service and work-based training program for older workers. Program participants are placed in a wide variety of community service positions at non-profit and public facilities, including daycare centers, senior centers, governmental agencies, schools, hospitals, libraries and landscaping centers.

An additional $130 million for the Rural Community Facilities Program – The Community Programs is a division of the Housing and Community Facilities Programs at the United States Department of Agriculture.  Community Programs includes the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, and the Community Facilities Grant Program. These programs help develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation.

I want to emphasize that we at the Washington State Library are not experts in understanding how the stimulus funding will affect Washington libraries. We are learners, like you. We will continue to post information for the benefit of our customers as we learn more. And, we are actively seeking to learn more. While the ALA WO web site offers hope that the stimulus funding will benefit Washington libraries it isn’t the last word. Please continue to monitor our Service to Libraries blog and post your comments.

Check out the ALA WO web site for a better understanding of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).