An executive order issued by the Trump administration on March 14 calls for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the nation’s only federal agency for America’s libraries. The IMLS distributesFederal Library Funding Eliminated by Executive Order Congressionally approved funds to libraries and museums. In Fiscal Year 2024, the IMLS budget was $294.8 million, of which more than $211 million was dedicated to library services through the Library Services Technology Act (LSTA), the leading source of federal funding for America’s libraries. 

Americans have relied on public, school and academic libraries for generations. By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, this executive order will greatly affect libraries’ ability to provide the following services:

  • Early literacy development and grade-level reading programs
  • Summer reading programs for kids, teens and adults 
  • High-speed internet access
  • Employment assistance for job seekers 
  • Braille and talking books for people with visual impairments
  • Homework and research resources for students and faculty
  • Veterans’ telehealth spaces equipped with technology and staff support
  • STEM programs, simulation equipment and training for workforce development
  • Small-business support for budding entrepreneurs

In Missouri, $3,338,467 in federal funds was designated for use by the Missouri State Library for library grants, a statewide courier system that allows libraries to share items amongst themselves, patron databases, and an integrated library system consortium. These federal funds also support the Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library, as well as the Missouri Digital Heritage project, which is aimed at digitally preserving Missouri’s history and historical documents.

Specifically for Joplin Public Library, the IMLS elimination will affect:

  • Grants
    • Mini Technology Grant ($8,682)
    • Technology Ladder Grant ($28,591)
    • Summer Reading Library Program Grant ($9,168)
  • Courier service
    • Public library resource sharing – the IMLS pays a portion of the cost ($6,552)
  • Databases
    • Missouri Digital Heritage
    • VetNow 
  • Staff Resources
    • Homeless Training Institute
    • Niche Academy
    • TeachingBooks 

Our nation’s 125,000 public, school, academic and special libraries rely on this funding to provide resources for their communities. Libraries of all types translate 0.003% of the federal budget into programs and services used in more than 1.2 billion in-person patron visits every year, and many more virtual visits. We encourage members of the U.S. Congress and decision makers at every level of government to visit the libraries that serve their constituents, and urge the White House to spare the modest federal funding for America’s libraries. 

Ways to help Joplin Public Library and libraries around the country:

1. Contact your Congressional decision makers 

Missouri Members of Congress:
Senator Josh Hawley
(202) 224-6154
https://www.hawley.senate.gov/contact-senator-hawley/

Senator Eric Schmitt
(202) 224-5721
https://www.schmitt.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion/

Congressman Eric Burlison
(202) 225-6536
https://burlison.house.gov/contact

Use this form to email your members of Congress. Enter your address in the form, and then click the “Send email” button to contact your elected officials. Your message can be customized–tell your story! Email Congress to protect IMLS

2. Sign a petition

https://action.everylibrary.org/eoimls2025

3. Visit your local library and take advantage of their resources – show them you need the services they provide

4.Make a donation to your Library’s Friends group