Reed tours Rhode Island libraries in advance of writing legislation to authorize federal funding

PROVIDENCE – U.S. Sen. Jack F. Reed toured five libraries around the state on June 3 to get a glimpse at innovation underway, in preparation of writing national library legislation to give libraries funding for technology, tools and training.
Reed, according to a news release from his office, is working to reauthorize the Museum and Library Services Act, which provides federal assistance to museums and libraries. This act has provided federal grants to state libraries and museums in past years.
Reed first visited the Rochambeau branch of the Providence Community Library, where he participated in a roundtable discussion with librarians from the nine neighborhood libraries that comprise the Providence Community Library.
He then traveled to the Pawtucket Public Library and the Providence Public Library before visiting the Cranston Public Library, where he helped present the library with a 2016 LibraryAware Community Award. The award is given by Library Journal to communities that engage with their libraries to improve lives of their citizens and create lifelong learners and library users.
His final stop was the Warwick Public Library, where he hosted a second roundtable with members of the statewide library community.
Several libraries, including Pawtucket Library, Coventry Library, and the Redwood Library in Newport; and museums, including Slater Mill, the Rhode Island Historical Society, Museum of Art at Rhode Island School of Design, John Brown House and University of Rhode Island have used grants to leverage resources, strengthen operations, upgrade technology and expand access to services at the state and local level. Grants also have funded summer reading programs, programs to help seniors and the blind, adult literacy classes and other programs.
In 2010, Reed authored the Museum and Library Services Act, which authorized nearly $300 million in federal assistance to museums and libraries nationwide. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Reed has helped secure more than $6.4 million in federal funding and grants for Rhode Island libraries since 2012.

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