Whereas, in December 2018, the COSLA board approved the request to the Federal government to increase the per capita funding for the Grants to States program from $164 million per year to $325 million per year; and

Whereas, the increased funding for the Grants to States programs would represent a substantial increase to libraries across the nation and in Montana to support programs in lifelong learning, early literacy, economic growth, workforce development, services to veterans, community sustainability, and many other programs that grow communities and enrich the lives of persons of all ages; and

Whereas, supporting this initiative would provide an increase in the availability of funding for all Montana libraries.

Therefore be it resolved that the Montana Library Association officially endorses and supports the COSLA request to increase the grants to states portion of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)

Supported by the Montana Library Association Board on February 20, 2019