Today, Congress passed a $1.9 trillion relief package. A few signature components of the President's agenda during his first 100 days, the bill provides important provisions for cultural and arts organization including libraries. These include $200 million for the Institute for Museum and Library Services, $135 million for the National Endowment for the Arts $135 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities, and $1.35 billion more for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program. MLA will be providing more information soon, but wanted to thank you all for contacting your federal legislators and sharing the value and importance of libraries here in Michigan. Another bill to watch - The Build America’s Libraries Act, an important $2 trillion investment in library infrastructure is also making its way through the halls of congress and MLA encourages you to continue to reach out to your federal representatives and encourage them to co-sponsor this bill. The Build America’s Libraries Act, H.R. 1581 is a bipartisan bill to provide funding to construct and modernize public libraries in underserved communities, including an estimated $135 million for libraries in Michigan. This would be an incredible source of dollars for building a new branch, bookmobile, adding hotspots; or if you have new or renovated facilities. Please let us know if we can help provide the name of your legislator and their contact information. We encourage you to ask them to step up and join Michigan Rep. Levin, Rep. Tlaib, Rep. Kildee and Rep. Dingell with support. Debbie [Web Icon resized] Deborah E. Mikula Executive Director Michigan Library Association 3410 Belle Chase Way, Suite 100 Lansing, MI. 48911 Office: 517-394-2774, ext. 224 Cell: 517-404-3533 dmikula@milibraries.org<mailto:dmikula@milibraries.org> www.milibraries.org<http://www.milibraries.org>
