Executive Order Reducing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Its Impact on New Hampshire Library Users
In an Executive Order signed last week, President Donald Trump has called for the defunding of the Institute of Museum and Library Science (IMLS); the federal agency charged with distributing congressionally approved funds to state libraries and to library, museum and archives programs.
We want to let you know how this may impact our library patrons here in Lee.
The federal funds from this agency fund the New Hampshire Inter-Library Loan system, the van drivers, administrative staff, and computer software used to order items.
In 2024 our library borrowed 1,534 items and lent out 1,612. Inter-Library Loan (ILL) is an important service, especially for small libraries that have limited budgets. We also rely on ILL for books for book groups. Losing this service will impact our community, patrons, programs and library.
Also funded with the IMLS funds is the platform for the Libby app used for e-books and audiobooks and Talking Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program staff. If these funds are cut these services may go away.
In 2024 our library patrons checked out 8,839 e-books, audiobooks, and periodicals via the Libby app.
We want to continue to provide our patrons with the books, resources and services they ask for. Without these funds we will no longer be able to do so.
If you value the Inter-Library Library Loan system and/or the Libby Downloadable program, we highly encourage you to voice your opinion. Call the White House on one of the numbers below expressing why IMLS and the funds provided are critical, and how it will severely impact the many residents who rely on these valuable services, not only in our town, but around the State.
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Alternatively, you can contact your Congressional Delegation, see below:
Jean Shaheen – https://shaheen.senate.gov
Maggie Hassan – https://hassan.senate.gov
Maggie Goodlander – https://goodlander.house.gov
Chris Pappas – https://pappas.house.gov
Thank you for supporting the power of libraries. As we learn more we will keep you posted with updates and other ways to help!
Sincerely
Hayley Van-Gils & the Board of Library Trustees
We want to let you know how this may impact our library patrons here in Lee.
The federal funds from this agency fund the New Hampshire Inter-Library Loan system, the van drivers, administrative staff, and computer software used to order items.
In 2024 our library borrowed 1,534 items and lent out 1,612. Inter-Library Loan (ILL) is an important service, especially for small libraries that have limited budgets. We also rely on ILL for books for book groups. Losing this service will impact our community, patrons, programs and library.
Also funded with the IMLS funds is the platform for the Libby app used for e-books and audiobooks and Talking Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program staff. If these funds are cut these services may go away.
In 2024 our library patrons checked out 8,839 e-books, audiobooks, and periodicals via the Libby app.
We want to continue to provide our patrons with the books, resources and services they ask for. Without these funds we will no longer be able to do so.
If you value the Inter-Library Library Loan system and/or the Libby Downloadable program, we highly encourage you to voice your opinion. Call the White House on one of the numbers below expressing why IMLS and the funds provided are critical, and how it will severely impact the many residents who rely on these valuable services, not only in our town, but around the State.
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Alternatively, you can contact your Congressional Delegation, see below:
Jean Shaheen – https://shaheen.senate.gov
Maggie Hassan – https://hassan.senate.gov
Maggie Goodlander – https://goodlander.house.gov
Chris Pappas – https://pappas.house.gov
Thank you for supporting the power of libraries. As we learn more we will keep you posted with updates and other ways to help!
Sincerely
Hayley Van-Gils & the Board of Library Trustees