Bill Would Qualify Public Libraries
for Federal After-School Funding
A Los Angeles congressman announced plans May 31 to introduce a bill that would expand the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program to make public libraries eligible to receive federal funding for after-school, weekend, and summer programs.
Rep. Xavier Becerra’s Reading Enrichment After-School Development Act (READ) would allow public libraries to apply for CCLC money for activities such as reading and computer literacy programs. “My goal is to take the next logical step with this already successful program by opening the doors to public libraries as an additional option of where students can go after school,” Becerra said.
The CCLC, a Clinton administration initiative, is currently funded at $450 million, up from $200 million in FY 1999, and is supporting programs in about 1,600 rural and central-city public schools, often in collaboration with other organizations.
ALA President Sarah Ann Long applauded the Becerra bill. “Public libraries are often an untapped learning resource which students can greatly benefit from, and this legislative initiative will give them the opportunity to do just that,” Long said.
Posted June 5, 2000.
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