What Happened?
On March 14, President Trump signed an executive order that led to the shutdown of the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This small federal agency, with around 70 employees, provides funding to museums and libraries nationwide. In 2024, Wisconsin was allocated $3.2 million in IMLS grants.
How Libraries Are Funded in Wisconsin
- Local Funding: Local taxes support operational costs, staff salaries, and building maintenance.
- State Funding: The state legislature provides funding every two years, covering statewide programs and resources. That funding goes to the state’s 15 library systems, which coordinate resources and many shared services for all of their public libraries.
- Federal Funding (IMLS): In 2024, Wisconsin received $3.2 million in IMLS grants, which help fund BadgerLink, interlibrary loans, technology upgrades, and staff training.
Impact of Losing Funding
Libraries are vital community resources, offering services to everyone. Cuts to IMLS funds disproportionately hurt people in small rural areas, those on fixed incomes, and families. IMLS funding supports:
- Interlibrary Loans: Wisconsin ranked #1 in the nation for interlibrary loans per resident in 2022.
- BadgerLink Access: Without this funding, schools and the public would lose access to critical online resources for research, literacy, and lifelong learning.
- Workforce Development Programs: These programs support small businesses and job seekers.
- Technology Upgrades: IMLS grants help libraries provide computer equipment, Wi-Fi, hotspots, and IT support, crucial for keeping services modern and efficient.
- Without IMLS funding, many libraries will struggle to maintain essential services.
Benefits of Public Libraries
- Libraries serve as community hubs for many demographics.
- Libraries are a great equalizer, giving access to resources for those who cannot afford them.
- Libraries and library funding especially impacts small rural communities and underserved populations of our state.
- There is a lot of oversight and accountability built into the structure of libraries, to ensure they are running efficiently and fulfilling their purpose. IMLS funding enhances efficiencies — loss of this funding will actually cost more.
- IMLS funds come home to work at the local level and help libraries deliver real services that real people use every day.
- Cutting IMLS funds doesn’t eliminate federal waste, it eliminates access, especially for our small and rural communities, and individuals who already experience challenges such as our senior population.
Summary: Local dollars are the primary source of your library’s funding supporting operational costs, staff, collections, building maintenance, etc. However, these funds alone would never allow your library to provide access to all the resources you currently enjoy. Libraries are part of a state-wide network that expands access to a much a larger array of collections and services, thanks to a layered approach to funding.
What Can You Do?
- Advocate for Federal Support: Contact your representatives to urge support for IMLS funding.
- Engage with Your Library: Visit your local library and take advantage of the resources available.
- Make a video: The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is asking library patrons to make a 30-60 second video of themselves talking about why their library is important to them. They can upload the video here: https://tinyurl.com/wi-library-stories
- Vote: Stay informed on issues that impact libraries and vote accordingly.
- Learn more: visit https://mywisconsinlibrary.org/ to get more information and follow links to take action.