Federal funding for public libraries is at risk following one of President Donald Trump’s latest executive orders aimed at gutting the government and its essential functions.
Local library staff have been monitoring the situation since the order was announced on March 14, and have been reaching out to the public via social media, urging those that can to contact their elected representatives to share their concerns regarding the anticipated drastic cuts.
The executive order signed last week called for the elimination and reduction of seven government entities, including the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The federal agency is responsible for distributing congressionally approved funds to state libraries and to library, museum, and archives program grant recipients in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
