Neighbor News
Executive Order Targets Libraries
Trump administration moves to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services
This week the Trump administration issued an executive order ordering the dismantling of the Institute of Library and Museum Services (IMLS). This independent agency, which was created by an act of Congress, distributes millions of dollars in grants each year to support research and programs in libraries and museums across the country. While their grant making represents just 0.003% of the federal budget, the dismantling of this agency would have profound impacts on the field. IMLS provides crucial funding to libraries and museums across the country which, in turn, provide critical services to the people they serve.
Public libraries are a crucial part of the social infrastructure of their communities. They provide their communities with access to information and technology, support finding and using that information, as well as important services and programming that support literacy, citizenship, job-hunting and other pursuits, as well as spaces to come together as a community. Research has shown that communities with libraries and museums have higher social and economic well-being and better health outcomes. Businesses located near libraries and museums benefit from patronage from visitors to those institutions. Public libraries are typically the only free and open space within a community where people can gather, work, play, socialize, or be on their own without needing to be a member or purchase anything.
Academic libraries and faculty in LIS degree programs engage in important research that helps to inform the resources, systems, and services that libraries and museums offer and contribute to the development of standards, policies, and frameworks that enable those services and systems. LIS Faculty also educate and train the next generation of professionals to ensure these services are ongoing.
State library associations depend on the IMLS to distribute funds to local libraries for everything from building projects and renovations to collection development and programming.
The dismantling of the IMLS will impact all of these institutions and areas and will ultimately hurt the communities that libraries serve-- which is EVERYONE.
If we care about libraries, we need to act. EveryLibrary is using the url saveimls.org to link to their campaign and resources. You might also consider contacting your congressional representatives directly to advocate for the IMLS.
Sincerely,
Laura Saunders
Somerville Resident
Professor of Library Science
