You can make a difference
“President Donald Trump has named a new acting director for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, one of seven independent government agencies cited in a recent executive order calling for their dismantling “to the maximum extent of the law. The Institute of Museum and Library of Services, or IMLS, is a key source of funding for museums, libraries and educational institutions… It distributes thousands of grants nationwide, totaling in recent years to more than $200 million annually… The American Library Association in a statement this week condemned “eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services. … The Trump administration’s executive order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer.” (AP News)
Julie Wendorff, President of the Indiana Library Federation and Library Director for the Crown Point Library, issued an open letter to the community that discusses how this order will impact public libraries. It ends with calls to action:
To effectively oppose this threat to library services, I encourage you to:
- Learn how this federal funding impacts Hoosiers: Help raise awareness by sharing this visual representation of the potential impacts.
- Contact your federal senators and representatives: Express the importance of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and how its elimination would impact our community.
- Sign the petition by EveryLibrary: Join others in opposing the executive order targeting IMLS by adding your name to the petition.
- Share information: Inform family and friends about this issue and encourage them to support public libraries. Share how your public library enriches your quality of life.
Read the entire letter here and please take action.
Taking action is very easy with EveryLibrary. When you sign the petition, you will be directed to send an email. The script is provided, but as always, it’s best to use your own words too. If you can, include a personal story. Then EveryLibrary will send that email to your representative and senator. It couldn’t be easier!
Make calls with 5calls.org. It’s easy–contacts and scripts are provided. You can download the app to your phone or use it on your computer. Make calls for libraries: https://5calls.org/issue/institute-museum-library-services-imls-ala/
