Dear Editor:

Many of you may have heard about the recent cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  This federal organization has the mission to “advance, support, and empower” museums and libraries in all fifty states. The entire staff of IMLS has been placed on leave, and their funding is to be eliminated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).  These cuts are disastrous for libraries in Maine and across the nation.

While individual libraries in Maine do not receive direct funding from IMLS, the Maine State Library received just over $1.5 million from them in 2024, which is used to provide services to public libraries throughout the State.  Federal library funding in Maine goes toward:

• Reduced cost internet through the Maine School and Library Network

• Interlibrary loan service

• E-books and e-audiobooks through CloudLibrary

• Large print and recorded books for blind and visually impaired

• Professional development training for library staff 

• Support for online databases through the Digital Maine Library

• Providing the Books by Mail program to homebound individuals 

• Support for Maine InfoNet, shared library catalogs, and Digital Maine Library tech support

All of these services are in jeopardy if IMLS is eliminated and funding doesn’t continue.  This loss of funding would be devastating to libraries in Maine.

Libraries serve everyone: young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural, liberal and conservative. They offer free access to knowledge, foster literacy, support community engagement, and provide space for learning.  Libraries offer educational programming, provide after school programs, host book clubs, and serve as community centers.  Libraries are one of the only public spaces in our country where you can enter without the expectation that you must buy something - the books in the library are free!  The Maine State Library reports that there were over 1 million individual visits to libraries in the State of Maine in 2024.  One million! 

Local libraries are essential to the well being of our communities - let’s keep them active, thriving, and funded.  I implore you to contact your congressional representatives and ask them to restore IMLS funding, which supports all the libraries in Maine. 

Grateful for your support.

Jen Britton

Librarian

Southport Memorial Library