The American Rescue Plan Act provided significant support for libraries to adapt and provide resources to their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Monday, January 31, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) held a virtual discussion with libraries from across the First Congressional District on the IMLS American Rescue Plan grant program which supports museum and library services with recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Pappas heard from libraries and library support staff about the various ways that these federal funds have been used to help libraries weather COVID-19 and continue to provide valuable services and resources to their communities.
Pappas was joined by Michael York, the NH State Librarian; Lori Fisher, Assistance NH State Librarian; and representatives from libraries in Exeter, Conway. Goffstown, Durham, and Dover.
"We know that beyond books, our libraries are invaluable resources for entire communities," said Congressman Pappas. "There are so many ways in which libraries are vital to people in their day-to-day lives. They serve as community hubs and gathering places while providing access to the internet, educational classes and resources, cultural experiences, and more. That's why we knew it was so important to secure funding for libraries in the American Rescue Plan, and I remain committed to supporting additional funds to help New Hampshire's libraries modernize and grow and continue to do their important work."
Libraries are eligible for billions of dollars in recovery funding as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, which Pappas supported and was signed into law in March of 2021. The legislation included $200 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the largest single increase in the agency's 25-year history. It also included billions of dollars in academic, public, and school library-eligible programs, including the Emergency Education Connectivity Fund through the federal E-rate program.
In December, the NH State Library announced that 42 New Hampshire public libraries would be receiving funding through an Institute for Museum and Library Services "Grants to States" program part of the American Rescue Act Plan that the State Library is facilitating. The funding has been used to support older adult service programming, play-based learning areas for children, digital archives of local oral histories and photographs, Career & Education Support services, and more.
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