In brief
The U.S. State Department has halted passport processing at many public libraries, impacting around 1,400 nonprofits nationwide. Libraries, which have provided passport services for years, are crucial for accessibility, especially for working families. In response, lawmakers are urging the State Department to reconsider or extend the program until a permanent solution is found. This policy shift poses challenges, particularly in states with a high number of nonprofit libraries.
NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — The U.S. State Department has ordered public libraries nationwide to stop processing passport applications, impacting a service that has been reliable for years.
This directive was issued in late fall, stating that certain not-for-profit libraries could no longer participate in the Passport Acceptance Facility program. Cathleen Special, executive director of Otis Library in Norwich, expressed the community's reliance on this service, having offered it for 18 years.
A State Department spokesperson cited federal law prohibiting non-governmental organizations from collecting and retaining passport application fees, adding that government-run libraries remain unaffected.
While the spokesperson did not clarify why this issue emerged now, they noted that less than one percent of the total network of 7,500 acceptance facilities were impacted by these changes.
The American Library Association estimates that around 1,400 libraries, or approximately 15% of all public libraries, could be affected, depending on their offering of passport services.
In response, bipartisan Congressional members from several states have sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to extend the existing program until a permanent solution is found.
As demand for passports grows, libraries are among the most accessible acceptance facilities, especially for working families and those in rural areas, the lawmakers wrote.
They highlighted that the closure of library services would compel citizens to travel long distances or forego acquiring a passport entirely, which is critical as new regulations around ID compliance come to the forefront.
Pennsylvania representatives Dean and Joyce have introduced legislation to allow nonprofit libraries to continue providing these services, emphasizing the essential role of libraries, especially in rural communities.
With high demand for services and limited options, librarians fear that the shutdown of these programs might lead to financial strain, staff layoffs, or library closures.
Furthermore, State Department representatives stated they would seek new eligible partners to guarantee continued accessibility in communities affected by the loss of library services.
Special remarked on the added pressure to nearby post offices, which now must handle passport services that libraries previously managed, leading to increased demands on their resources.
