Statewide, Iowa (RI) – A state program that allows libraries to borrow books from each other is on hold until later this month, after which the State Library of Iowa will scale back deliveries and pickups of inter-library loans from twice a week to just once.
Shenandoah Public Library director Carrie Falk says in the past year, her library received more than 400 books and sent out another 500, so this change due to federal budget uncertainty -will- have an impact.
After the pause, books will be delivered through a partnership with Iowa’s Area Education Agencies. A-E-As have already started fulfilling deliveries as of August 4th. Falk says the program gives her patrons in southwest Iowa access to a large number of materials the library otherwise wouldn’t have space for on its shelves.
The state service to transport materials to and from libraries is supported by a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. President Donald Trump moved to eliminate the agency earlier this year.
