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The American Library has put together a fact sheet on what the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 means for library funding.
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provides $200 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and billions more for library-eligible programs, including over $7 billion for broadband.
Relief provisions helpful to the library community include:
Institute of Museum and Library Services: The $200 million allocation is the largest increase for IMLS in the agency’s 25-year history. The Wyoming State Library is putting together a task force to guide what will be done with Wyoming’s allocation. Read more.
Emergency Connectivity Fund: Libraries are eligible to apply for the new $7.172 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund through the FCC’s E-rate program.
State and Local Government: ARPA includes a massive influx – more than $360 billion – of emergency assistance to state, local, and tribal community governments.
Education Stabilization Fund: Funding of $130 billion is included for education costs associated with the safe reopening of K-12 schools, hiring additional staff, reducing class size, modifying school spaces, and addressing student, academic, and mental health needs.
Higher Education: Colleges and institutions of higher education will receive $40 billion to defray pandemic-related costs and provide emergency aid to students
Download the fact sheet for additional details.