Library Stabilization Fund Act of 2020

To establish a Library Stabilization Fund to respond to and accelerate the recovery from coronavirus. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Library Stabilization Fund Act of 2020 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Coronavirus The term coronavirus (2) Digital literacy skills The term digital literacy skills 20 U.S.C. 9101 (3) Director The term Director 20 U.S.C. 9101 (4) Indian tribe The term Indian tribe 20 U.S.C. 9101 (5) Library The term library 20 U.S.C. 9122 (6) State The term State 20 U.S.C. 9122 (7) State library administrative agency The term State library administrative agency 20 U.S.C. 9122 3. Library stabilization fund (a) Establishment From the amount appropriated under section 8, there is established a Library Stabilization Fund to respond to and accelerate the recovery from the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus and to address the social inequities that have been exacerbated during the crisis. (b) Allocations From the amount available in the Library Stabilization Fund, the Director shall allocate— (1) not less than $1,715,000,000 to the States; (2) not less than $45,000,000 to Indian tribes and to organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians; and (3) not less than $200,000,000 to carry out activities strengthening the ability of libraries to provide services to communities affected by coronavirus. (c) Uses of funds Funds provided under subsection (b) may be used to provide support to libraries— (1) to continue to provide library services to their communities, including by supporting general operations, paying staff, ensuring the ongoing functionality of libraries (including by purchasing deep cleaning services and coronavirus response supplies), and supporting the continued development of, and training of library staff on, best practices for the safe handling of library materials and ways to sustain reopening and operations; (2) to safely provide access to computers, printers, copiers, and other technology (including new and emerging technologies) in libraries, to expand digital network access, purchase and lend internet accessible devices (such as laptops and hotspots), and purchase and lend digital resources, and to provide technical support services for users in the library and for those using borrowed devices remotely; (3) to strengthen and expand services and resources relating to early education and literacy, distance learning and education (including through partnerships with public schools to ensure continuity of education and address learning loss), adult education, job searches and resume building, workforce development and skills training, economic and business development, health information, digital literacy skills, and financial literacy; and (4) to ensure access to government and community services, cultural resources, and related functions and activities. (d) Administration and oversight (1) In general From the amount available in the Library Stabilization Fund, the Director may allocate not more than 2 percent of such amount for program administration, oversight activities, research, analysis, and data collection related to preventing, preparing for, and responding to coronavirus. (2) Reports From the research, analysis, and data collection carried out under paragraph (1), including what is gathered from entities receiving funding under this Act, the Director shall issue reports to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives detailing how funding under this Act has been spent and its impact on improving library services in communities that are served. (e) No matching requirement or nonfederal share Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State, Indian tribe, organization, library, or other entity that receives a grant under this Act shall not be required to provide matching funds or a nonfederal share toward the cost of the activities carried out with the grant funds. 4. State emergency library relief fund (a) Grants From the funds allocated under section 3(b)(1), the Director shall make Emergency Library Relief grants to each State library administrative agency with an approved 5-year plan. (b) Allotments The Director shall make grants under subsection (a) from allotments to States in the same manner as the Director makes allotments to States under section 221(b) of the Library Services and Technology Act ( 20 U.S.C. 9131(b) (c) Uses of funds A State library administrative agency that receives a grant under this section shall— (1) use the grant funds in accordance with section 3(c); and (2) prioritize support through grants to libraries in communities that the State library administrative agency determines have been most significantly impacted by the coronavirus. (d) Administration Not more than 4 percent of the total amount of funds received under this section by a State library administrative agency may be used for administrative costs. 5. Native American library services relief fund From the funds allocated under section 3(b)(2), the Director shall make Emergency Library Relief grants to Indian tribes and to organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians in the same manner as the Director makes grants under section 261 of the Library Services and Technology Act ( 20 U.S.C. 9161 6. Maintenance of effort With respect to amounts made available under sections (4) and (5), the Director shall waive the requirement, if requested by the entities funded under these sections, under section 223(c) of the Museum and Library Services Act ( 20 U.S.C. 9133(c) 7. Strengthening the ability of libraries to provide services to communities affected by coronavirus (a) In general From the funds allocated under section 3(b)(3), the Director shall carry out activities strengthening the ability of libraries to provide services to communities affected by the coronavirus and in accordance with the support described in section 3(c). (b) Uses of funds The Director may carry out the activities described in this section by entering into arrangements, including grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other forms of assistance, with libraries, library consortia and associations, institutions of higher education, and other entities that the Director determines appropriate. (c) Priority The Director shall prioritize support under this section through grants to libraries in communities that the Director determines have been most significantly impacted by coronavirus. (d) Applications Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall issue a notice inviting applications for grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other forms of assistance under this section. (e) Allocations The Director— (1) shall allocate not less than half the funds made available to carry out this section not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) may make additional allocations on a rolling basis based on the best available data at the time of the allocation. (f) Report An entity with whom the Director has entered into an arrangement under this section shall submit a report to the Director, at such time and in such manner as the Director may require, that describes the use of funds provided under this section. 8. Appropriation of funds (a) In general There is authorized to be appropriated, and there is appropriated, $2,000,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2021, to carry out this Act. (b) Designated for an emergency The amount under subsection (a) is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(i)

Summary: Library Stabilization Fund Act of 2020 This bill establishes and provides funds for a Library Stabilization Fund to assist libraries with responding to and recovering from the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, the bill directs the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to allocate funding to states, Indian tribes, and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. From these allocated funds, the IMLS must also make emergency library relief grants to state library administrative agencies with approved five-year plans, Indian tribes, and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. Additionally, the IMLS must allocate funding to carry out activities that strengthen the ability of libraries to provide services to communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The IMLS may enter into arrangements (e.g., grants and contracts) and other forms of assistance with libraries, library consortia and associations, and institutions of higher education to carry out these activities. Funds allocated by the bill may be used to provide support to libraries, such as by supporting general operations; paying staff; purchasing cleaning supplies; training library staff on the safe handling of library materials; providing access to computers and other technology; purchasing digital resources; expanding resources related to early education and literacy, distance learning, and workforce development training; and ensuring access to community services and activities.