ALA welcomes introduction of SUCCESS Act

Washington, D.C. – Today Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) led 40 members of Congress to introduce the Securing Universal Communications Connectivity to Ensure Students Succeed (SUCCESS) Act. The bill would extend the Emergency Connectivity Fund by five years and provide $8 billion a year to libraries and schools for connectivity off-campus. 

“Since the dial-up days, libraries across the country have stood in the digital gaps to connect our communities, especially for those most vulnerable,” said ALA President Patty Wong. “Today’s libraries are committed to improving internet access and providing the digital literacy support essential to advancing educational and economic opportunity for all. The promise of the SUCCESS Act means more libraries will have access to critical funding to sustain or initiate broadband equity programs through the Emergency Connectivity Fund. ALA looks forward to swift passage of this important legislation.”