Hamden Public Library Suspends Program After Presidential Executive Order: Officials

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden Public Library has suspended much of its digital navigation activities after losing some federal funding for the program following an Executive Order by President Donald J. Trump, according to officials.

Hamden Public Library Director Melissa Canham-Clyne sent the following letter to the community regarding cuts to the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

Dear Community Members,

The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a small but impactful federal agency, was recently reorganized under Executive Order 14238. This agency offers various grants to libraries and museums, including the Library Services Technical Act (LSTA), which distributes funds to all 50 state libraries. Connecticut received a $2.16 million LSTA grant for fiscal year 2025. However, as a consequence of this order, all LSTA funding to Connecticut has stopped.

Hamden Public Library, a co-recipient of an IMLS sponsored National Leadership Grant, has suspended much of its digital navigation activities because of these actions. Through this grant Hamden and six partnering libraries aimed to develop a model for resource sharing among municipalities. The program successfully aided 562 individuals in eight months with a part-time team of three digital navigators and a coordinator.

Hamden will also be affected by the loss of the LSTA grant, which, although not directly funding local libraries, supports essential statewide programs and library infrastructure. The elimination of this funding jeopardizes affordable internet access for libraries, summer reading programs for children, job training resources, staff development, accessible audio and braille books, and material delivery coordination across Connecticut. Most of these services are statutory - required by the state - which means the loss of federal dollars may shift funding onto the state.

I invite you to learn more about these funding issues. If you are concerned about the loss of these grants, please contact your federal and state elected officials. A sample and fillable advocacy letter is also available for your use.

With appreciation,

Melissa Canham-Clyne

Library Director, Hamden Public Library