$4 Million Dollars
Members of both the House and Senate worked incredibly hard to fight for a line-item for school libraries to make it into the 2008 supplemental budget; it is the first time a line-item for school libraries has ever appeared in a Washington budget. The compromise budget, passed on March 13th, included $4MM for school libraries. The good news is that the monies will reach schoolhouse doors in September, the bad news is that this line-item lasts only one year. Thanks to every citizen that worked so hard to advocate for school libraries.
Here are the details on the allocation:
The budget language: "Funding is provided for an allocation of approximately four dollars per student to maintain and improve library materials, collections, and services. It is intended that this funding will be used to augment current funding for library programs."
The bottom line: Here is how the line-item affects each school district in the state of WA: pdf
How did this happen?: Watch the Senate floor speeches which led to a 49-0 vote in favor of school library funding. FAST FORWARD TO 1:02:20
What needs to be done now: Take Action
Here are the details on the allocation:
The budget language: "Funding is provided for an allocation of approximately four dollars per student to maintain and improve library materials, collections, and services. It is intended that this funding will be used to augment current funding for library programs."
The bottom line: Here is how the line-item affects each school district in the state of WA: pdf
How did this happen?: Watch the Senate floor speeches which led to a 49-0 vote in favor of school library funding. FAST FORWARD TO 1:02:20
What needs to be done now: Take Action