Closing the digital divide one anchor institution at a time.
SHLB Welcomes Introduction of the Library Stabilization Fund Act July 02, 2020
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Alicja Johnson
Communications Manager
ajohnson@shlb.org
202-263-4626
Washington, D.C. (July 2, 2020) - Today the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition welcomed the Library Stabilization Fund Act, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and in the House by Rep. Andy Levin, D-Mich. The legislation would provide $2 billion in emergency funding to support libraries during the economic crisis. High-speed internet access, digital literacy training, and resources for remote learning are among the eligible library services that the bill would fund.
John Windhausen Jr., executive director of the SHLB Coalition, made the following statement:
“The millions of Americans who don’t have broadband at home depend upon their local library to find jobs, obtain medical information, and engage in distance learning over the Internet. The Library Stabilization Fund Act would help these libraries recover from the devastating impact of COVID-19, and strengthen their ability to connect communities at a time when life is happening online.”
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About SHLB:
The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C. and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations from across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.