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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><h1>ALA statement on White House assault on the Institute of Museum and Library Services<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=font-bold>For immediate release | March 15, 2025<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p>WASHINGTON \u2013 An <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/continuing-the-reduction-of-the-federal-bureaucracy/">executive order</a> issued by the Trump administration on Friday night, March 14, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/continuing-the-reduction-of-the-federal-bureaucracy/">calls for</a> the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the nation\u2019s only federal agency for America\u2019s libraries. The following statement was made by the American Library Association: <o:p></o:p></p><p>Americans have loved and relied on public, school and academic libraries for generations. By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administration\u2019s executive order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer: <o:p></o:p></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Early literacy development and grade-level reading programs<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Summer reading programs for kids<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>\u202f</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>High-speed internet access <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Employment assistance for job seekers<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>\u202f</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Braille and talking books for people with visual impairments<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Homework and research resources for students and faculty<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Veterans\u2019 telehealth spaces equipped with technology and staff support <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>STEM programs, simulation equipment and training for workforce development<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Small business support for budding entrepreneurs <o:p></o:p></li></ul><p>To dismiss some 75 committed workers and mission of an agency that advances opportunity and learning is to dismiss the aspirations and everyday needs of millions of Americans. And those who will feel that loss most keenly live in rural communities.<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>\u202f</span> <o:p></o:p></p><p>As seedbeds of literacy and innovation, our nation\u2019s 125,000 public, school, academic and special libraries deserve more, not less support. 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. <o:p></o:p></p><p>ALA implores President Trump to reconsider this short-sighted decision. We encourage U.S. Congressmembers, Senators 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\u2019s libraries. And we call on all Americans who value reading, learning, and enrichment to reach out to their elected leaders and <a href="https://www.ala.org/advocacy/show-up-for-our-libraries">Show Up For Our Libraries</a> at library and school meetings, town halls, and everywhere decisions are made about libraries. <o:p></o:p></p><p>The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an independent federal agency that supports libraries and museums in all 50 states and U.S. territories through grantmaking, research and policy development. IMLS administers both federal grants to states, which determine how funds are spent, and discretionary grants to individual library entities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=font-bold>Contact:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=text-15px>Shawnda Hines<o:p></o:p></p><p class=mb-0>Deputy Director, Communications<o:p></o:p></p><p class=mb-0>American Library Association<o:p></o:p></p><p class=mb-0>Public Policy & Advocacy Office<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:%20shines@alawash.org">shines@alawash.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=news-pressexposed-form-title><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=news-pressexposed-form-title><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=news-pressexposed-form-title><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>David Goldfield,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><a href="http://www.davidgoldfield.com/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.DavidGoldfield.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Director of Marketing,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Blazie Technologies<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lonnie & Ashley Swafford<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>5109 Bannon Crossings Drive<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Louisville, KY 40218<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>H: (502) 491-1992<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>M: (502) 609-2394<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>