I am contacting you to request your support of the full state funding for libraries. The Secretary of State has requested $4.5 million for state aid for public libraries and $3.1 million for the Remote Electronic Access for Libraries (REAL) program. I urge you to also support full funding of the non-resident Athletes and Entertainers tax. Libraries receive 10% of the funding distributed for the purpose of buying materials and to fund resource-sharing efforts such as interlibrary loan and courier service. The services libraries provide to residents in my community and throughout the state of Missouri fulfill individual needs and strengthen our entire community. Access to the internet, technology services, and educational resources allows residents to change or improve their careers, support the learning and growth of their children, participate in important community functions, and so much more. I ask you to support funding for public libraries and the budget request for library funding by the Secretary of State in HB 2012. Thank you for your time!

I urge you to support the Secretary of State’s funding request for libraries: $4.5 million for state aid to public libraries, $3.1 million for the Remote and Electronic Access for Libraries (REAL) program, and $3.2 million transferred to the Library Networking Fund from the non-resident Athletes and Entertainers income tax. These funds help public libraries provide internet access, resources for students, support for job seekers, books and materials, educational programs including storytimes, and much more. In 2024, Missouri libraries continued to meet the expanding digital needs of their communities by providing internet access. MO libraries saw over 11 million Wi-Fi sessions. 49 of MO public libraries made hotspot lending programs available to help their communities access online resources outside library walls. Over 6,019 hotspot devices were available to MO communities in 2024. Thank you for your support of Missouri's library funding!

On February 4, 2024, Libraries across the state of Missouri reached out to their legislators to support full funding of public libraries. I ask you to support the Secretary of State’s budget request for library funding. The Secretary of State has requested $4.5 million for state aid to public libraries, $3.1 million for the Remote and Electronic Access for Libraries (REAL) program, and full funding for Missouri Public Libraries from the income tax collection from non-resident Athletes and Entertainers. These requests are in HB 12. In 2024, libraries served community members' increasing needs for library services with an increase of visits to the library. MO Libraries had 17.5 million visits last year, an increase of 1.7 million visits from the previous year. Libraries played an integral role in connecting community members with each other with a total of 156,625 meeting room uses. That’s an annual increase of 33,405 library meeting room uses. Libraries provide vital services in our communities. They foster early literacy, support job seekers and small business owners, and provide access to critical information and technology that residents need to participate in today’s modern world. Strong libraries cultivate strong communities. Thank you for your support of Missouri library funding!