The Institute of Museum and Library Services issued the State Library Administrative Agency (SLAA) Survey for Fiscal Year 2012 Report which provides a view of the condition of state library administrative agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
State library administrative agencies administer federal funds through the IMLS Grants to States program and play a crucial role in helping libraries within their state meet the demand for content and services by establishing statewide plans for library services, investing in technology and content, and providing support for local programming.
[Our emphasis] The results of this study show that while SLAAs continue to shape library services in their states, they have faced a period of declining revenues. The revenue from federal, state and other sources to SLAAs totaled nearly $1 billion in FY 2012, a 27 percent decrease in revenue from FY 2003 and a 12 percent decrease from FY 2010. The overall decline in total revenue is due to declines in state revenue, which decreased 15 percent from FY 2010 and decreased 32 percent FY 2003. The majority (77 percent) of revenue for state library administrative agencies is derived from the states themselves.
One impact of the revenue decline has been an overall reduction in staff at SLAAs. Between FY 2009 and FY 2012, there was an 11 percent decrease in the total number of Full Time Equivalent SLAA staff positions. IMLS Director Susan H. Hildreth said, “The reduction in support for state library agencies is an alarming trend. These agencies have an important role at the state level in administering federal funds and providing services to public, school, academic, and specialized libraries.”
State Library Administrative Agencies Survey Fiscal Year 2012
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