Executive Order Eliminates Agency That Supports Libraries
From Publishers Lunch:
“A new executive order issued Friday called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the nation’s only federal agency for supporting libraries. The office of 75 workers administers grants to libraries throughout the US. The executive order reads: “the non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental entities shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, and such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.”
The IMLS had requested grant money of approximately $255 million for fiscal 2025, and an administrative budget of $24.5 million.
The American Library Association writes in a release, “ALA implores President Trump to reconsider this short-sighted decision. We encourage U.S. Congress members, Senators and decision makers at every level of government to visit the libraries that serve their constituents and urge the White House to spare the modest federal funding for America’s libraries. And we call on all Americans who value reading, learning, and enrichment to reach out to their elected leaders and Show Up For Our Libraries at library and school meetings, town halls, and everywhere decisions are made about libraries.”
The release also lists some of the critical functions of public libraries including: Early literacy development and grade-level reading programs; summer reading programs for kids; high-speed internet access; employment assistance for job seekers ; and much more.
The order is the latest EO to disrupt the book industry, with January 20 and 21 orders causing uncertainty in the NEA grant process. Last week, chair of the NEH Shelly C. Lowe left her position “at the direction of President Trump.’ ”
Authors Unbound stands with our nations libraries. The ALA has provided resources for advocacy and protest around this. Take action, share your story, and get involved at this link https://www.ala.org/advocacy/show-up-for-our-libraries.
