Show Up For Your Library!
- rclf-info
- May 6
- 2 min read
Our libraries face a serious challenge today. Public libraries offer everything from tools for children learning to read, to job-seeking resources for all ages, but threats to federal funding hinder libraries’ abilities to maintain these essential services.
For those new to the world of libraries, the IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) might not be a household name. This small but mighty agency of the US government is a critical source of funding for libraries across the country. Here in California, local public libraries received $15.9 million in IMLS funding in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. This sum goes a long way—funding 500,000 audio and braille book purchases, summer reading programs that serve over a million Californian children, and more than 22,000 public research inquiries answered by state library staff. Wow!
Unfortunately, this crucial support is threatened. In March 2025, an executive order aiming to eliminate the agency altogether was introduced and it created a great deal of uncertainty about funding streams. This uncertainty jeopardizes some ambitious library programs. In California alone, there are over 86 million visits to public libraries annually, with over 64.5 million checkouts of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eVideos. Libraries are also vital for things like providing internet access (968 California libraries are connected to high-speed broadband) and offering resources like online tutoring (over 600,000 sessions). These potential funding cuts threaten to undermine this incredible impact. We might see reduced hours, smaller collections, and cuts to those essential community programs we all rely on.
If you’d like to take action, consider donating to your public library foundation, such as the Redwood City Library Foundation. The American Library Association also suggests ways you can make a difference. Go to their website to see how you can show up for our libraries. It can take as little as 5 minutes!
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