Libraries and Advocacy

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On March 14, President Trump issued an executive order requiring “the non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental entities shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law”. This affected seven agencies, including the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). 

IMLS is the primary funder of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Division for Libraries and Technology, which supports public library technology, shared online resources and databases, annual reporting and training for libraries, statewide library support, and much more. It also funds the Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA), which benefits Madison Public Library directly as part of the South Central Library System in a variety of ways.

Madison Public Library is working with library and system directors across the state, colleagues at the American Library Association, Wisconsin Library Association, and Urban Libraries Council, as well as our colleagues in the museum world to advocate for continued IMLS funding. 

Since the executive order was issued, here's an update on what's going on:

• On March 18, President Trump fired the acting head of IMLS and replaced her with Keith Sonderling (Deputy Secretary of Labor) as acting head. Sonderling released a statement on March 20 saying, "...I am committed to steering this organization in lockstep with this Administration to enhance efficiency and foster innovation. We will revitalize IMLS and restore focus on patriotism, ensuring we preserve our country’s core values, promote American exceptionalism and cultivate love of country in future generations."
• On March 31, all 75 staff at IMLS were put on administrative leave for up to 90 days with no access to work-related tools or communication methods. With no employees working at IMLS, this effectively means that IMLS grant funds will be frozen during this time, if not canceled entirely.
• The impact of grant funds being frozen or canceled will be felt swiftly, according to American Library Association president Cindy Hohl, who said, "Within months, if not weeks, local libraries will experience the impact of IMLS grant cancellations. Even now, state libraries are making hard choices about what their communities may have to do without: library loans that give rural residents more choices, or talking books for people with print disabilities, including many seniors? Or do they cut summer reading programs for kids? Discontinue programs for veterans or end services to small businesses?"
• In his previous term, President Trump repeatedly sought to defund or eliminate IMLS, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts - all of which are currently led by Trump appointees. Congress created IMLS by law, with bipartisan support. Republican and Democratic Presidents signed those laws, and reducing the already small workforce at IMLS undermines the agency's ability to carry out that law.
• In October, the 2018 Museum and Library Services Act will be up for renewal. When the Trump Administration tried to eliminate IMLS previously, Congress was able to save it during this process because the law dictates which IMLS programs are mandatory and which are discretionary.

It's clear, Congressional representatives need to hear the essential role libraries play in communities. We need your help to protect library funding.