State aid for libraries

[2] State aid is combined with other forms of library funding—including federal aid, funding by local governments and private philanthropy—to provide money for library books, staff and information technology.

Other forms of aid may be used to fund library construction and remodeling.

For example, in order to maintain access to federal technology grants, Florida must provide its libraries with at least $21.2 million a year in state aid.

However, state aid has recently become more politically contentious.

In a statement, the governor’s chief budget aide said that “in tight budget times, we prioritized funding for health care and education.