On June 3, the Authors Guild wrote to Senators McConnell & Schumer and Representatives Pelosi and McCarthy asking Congress to provide the nation’s libraries with $2 billion dollars in COVID-19 financial relief. The American Library Association estimates that libraries will lose billions of dollars as a result of the pandemic, which will no doubt cause large cuts in library staffing, purchases, and programs. Reductions in library staff means a reduction in book recommendations to patrons, which disadvantages lesser known authors – and slashing library purchasing budgets (according to the Institute for Museum and Library Services libraries spend $4 billion annually on books and other materials) hurts all authors. The Guild asked for the funds to be distributed as part of an aid package to state and local governments, since entities could more efficiently and effectively address local library needs, particularly in low-income and rural areas.

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