Approximately 235 years ago, Benjamin Franklin must have been so proud to be the leader of a great institution referred to as a "free public library."  However, in the 21st Century, the leaders of the United States have irresponsibly decided to dismantle many government agencies including the Institution of Museum and Library Service (IMLS), the only federal agency that ensures every community has access to library funding.  Nearly all the staff at the IMLS was placed on administrative leave on Monday, March 31st.  Museums and libraries will no longer be able to contact IMLS staff for updates about the funding they rely upon.  As a result, all the processing of the 2025 grant applications has ended in the absence of staff.  You might ask yourself:  So, what does that mean?

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The IMLS plays a crucial role in daily life, helping students, families, veterans, small businesses, job seekers, individuals with disabilities, and senior citizens.  It is the primary source of federal support for U.S. libraries and museums.  The agency supports them through grants, research and policy development.  Among its services, IMLS issues grants to each state and U.S. territory based on population.

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The fact is that the IMLS receives only 0.003% of the federal budget.  The funding helps every single library so that they are able to stretch their budgets to provide free, impartial resources that serve everyone.  This diabolical action will affect our neighborhood public library, our private and public school libraries as well as those libraries on military bases, etc.  There is the possibility of placing some library services at risk of being shut down in the communities who need it most.

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This irresponsible action is a devastating blow to essential community services.  Next week is officially "National Library Week."  Join me, Diane Tiago, President, and support our libraries and library workers one hundred percent!

 

Please phone, write, or email our representatives at the federal and state levels:

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For everyone living in Massachusetts, our 2 senators are:

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Elizabeth Warren                                                   Senator Edward Markey

www.warren.senate.gov                                       www.markey.senate.gov

1550 Main Street   Suite 406                                1550 Main Street    4th floor

Springfield, MA   01103                                         Springfield, MA  01103

413-788-2690                                                         413-785-4610

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Our Representative:

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The Honorable Richard Neal

www.neal.house.gov

300 State Street   Suite 200

Springfield, MA   01105

413-785-0325

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Our State Senator: 

Jacob R. Oliveira

www.Jacob.Oliveira@masenate.gov">www.Jacob.Oliveira@masenate.gov

24 Beacon Street   Room 416-B

Boston, MA   02133

617-722-1291

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Our State Representatives: (depends on your street address)

Brian Ashe                                         OR                                 Angelo Puppolo                   

www.Brian.Ashe@mahouse.gov">www.Brian.Ashe@mahouse.gov                                           www.angelo.puppolo.mahouse.gove

24 Beacon Street   Room 160                                                24 Beacon Hill   Room 122

Boston, MA   02133                                                                 Boston, MA  02133

617-722-2304                                                                          617-722-2006

413-272-3922                                                                          413-596-4333