Dear Friends,
I apologize for sending you an extra email this week, but I want to shed light on a disturbing update. On March 14th, an executive order was signed calling for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), saying IMLS, and a host of other agencies “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.” (Executive Order) “The announcement also orders the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reject any budget requests from IMLS (and the other six named agencies) other than funds needed to shut down the agency.” (ALA FAQ What Does This Executive Order Do?)
My understanding is that Level funding will continue for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), but the order puts the future of the IMLS in significant doubt. Losing the IMLS would be catastrophic to the Maine Library Association (MLA) and to libraries across Maine. I will quote the MLA here:
The Maine Library Association Executive Board strongly disagrees with this action. The elimination of IMLS would negatively impact all Mainers who rely on library services. Federal funding is critical for the Maine State Library to provide important statewide resources and services. In FY24, the last fully appropriated grant, Maine State Library received $1,526,754 in Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds. Each state receives federal funding through LSTA, and the overall ask for FY25 is $214 million. This would include roughly the same amount for Maine as in FY24.
Federal funding in Maine goes toward:
- Free gigabit internet to 243 public libraries through the Maine School and Library Network
- Supporting interlibrary loan service to over 260 libraries statewide, ensuring Maine residents have access to more than 10 million items
- Providing e-books and e-audiobooks to all Mainers through CloudLibrary
- Providing those who are blind or visually impaired with large print and recorded books mailed to the patron for free
- Delivering professional development training to library staff through consultations and workshops
- Support for online databases offered through the Digital Maine Library
- Providing the Books by Mail program to homebound individuals and Maine residents who live in rural areas without a local library
- Support for Maine InfoNet for technology support and training for shared library catalogs statewide, building a strong connection for resource sharing statewide, and Digital Maine Library tech support and maintenance.
While most library funding in Maine comes from local sources, federal dollars are crucial in building equity by providing resources to libraries with smaller budgets. Federal funding for libraries accounts for just 0.003% of the overall federal budget, and this incredibly modest investment ensures that all communities have access to essential library services regardless of local funding capacity. Libraries are open to all, and services are well used. In 2023, there were over one million visits to public libraries in Maine. (MLA Statement about IMLS)
I ask you as a library user and supporter, please contact our local representatives and ask them to push hard to reverse this executive order. Please see the ALA’s FAQ regarding this executive order for more information.
Matthew Graff
Executive Director
Skidompha Public Library