Funding for North Dakota public libraries increased nearly 18 percent in the last legislative session.
State Librarian for North Dakota Hulen Bivins said about 80 percent of the 1979 mandated level for state aid has been met with the added funding.
“Hopefully this is the beginning of the turnaround for North Dakota so that state libraries can get to the full funding for the formula,” Bivins said.
State aid will go to new materials, technology and additional staffing for the public libraries.
“We’re just very happy that the legislature sees the need to fully fund this formula and statute. Every biennium for the last six bienniums they’ve (legislators) increased the funding and are working towards full funding,” Assistant State Librarian for North Dakota Cynthia Clairmont- Schmidt said.
Both Bivins and Schmidt said they will continue to ask each legislative session for increased state aid until the mandate is met.