In regard to the state budget for fiscal year 2019 for the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL), the Joint Finance-Appropriations (JFAC) Committee CONDITIONALLY approved a one-time amount of $200,000 for the Talking Book Service (TBS) . . . IF the agency’s federal* funding were eliminated.
The ICfL appreciates JFAC’s recognition of the importance of the Idaho Talking Book Service and its willingness to include a mechanism for funding TBS, if the agency’s federal funding is eliminated.
The ICfL is extremely grateful for the overwhelming efforts of the Idaho library community on behalf of this important issue. That work truly helped to get TBS and this topic on the legislators’ radar — which is a critical first step; however, the ICfL will likely be in the same position next year regarding this issue, with an even greater number of unknowns concerning the federal budget and impacts resulting from legislative changes in our state government.
The ICfL would like to thank all of you for your time, support, and assistance as we all continue to illuminate our state and federal representatives about the integral role libraries have in every community in the Gem State.
*The source of the ICfL’s federal funding is the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
