On March 14th, President Trump signed Executive Order 14238, indicating that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) should be reduced to the maximum extent permitted by law. Subsequently, on March 31, all IMLS staff were placed on leave.
The IMLS is the federal institution responsible for channeling federal funding to states for further distribution to libraries, as well as directly to individual libraries and museums via grant programs. Last year, IMLS awarded $266 million in grants and research funding, representing less than 0.003% of the federal budget.
To discuss the financial impact on the Rockport Public Library due to the reduction of the IMLS would be misleading, as most of the funding disbursed by the IMLS in Massachusetts supports state-wide, shared services that strengthen libraries across the state. These services provide essential resources that individual libraries, particularly smaller ones, might struggle to afford independently. The loss of the IMLS funding will affect the quality and variety of services accessible to library patrons, regardless of their home library.
In Massachusetts, IMLS funding is allocated to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), which utilizes this funding to procure databases accessible to every public and school library in the state. Usage statistics indicate that 60% of these databases’ use originates from school libraries, with over 9 million full-text downloads last year. Patrons who have accessed Gale databases, ProQuest databases, or Britannica Online at libraries or schools have benefited from IMLS funds. Additionally, the MBLC uses IMLS funding to support the Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat), facilitating the sharing of books across the entire state, with approximately 7,500 items shared monthly through this system.
Our library network, MVLC, also benefits from IMLS funding. If you use Libby to borrow e-books or e-audiobooks, some of the annual fees for administering that platform are covered by IMLS funding. The potential loss of this funding may result in a decreased variety of available books, fewer copies of popular titles, and extended wait times, which are already a concern for our e-content users.
The Rockport Public Library has additionally benefited from grants funded through the IMLS. Recently, the Library received $6,000 for a Preservation Assessment Grant, enabling us to obtain professional recommendations for improvements to our Local History Room. These enhancements are crucial for preserving books, records, and items that exemplify Rockport’s rich and complex history. Many of these artifacts are centuries old and unique. Future grants that the Library had planned to apply for to implement these improvements were previously funded by the IMLS. Currently, it is uncertain whether this funding will remain available, impacting our ability to preserve our historical materials.
The Rockport Public Library remains committed to serving our patrons to the best of our ability. However, intentions can only achieve so much. Should the MBLC and MVLC lose funding for databases, ComCat, e-books, and other shared benefits among Massachusetts libraries, the Rockport Library will need to redirect resources to address those needs locally or decide to discontinue those services entirely. This situation would necessitate making difficult decisions about which services we can continue to offer. The circumstances are evolving daily, and until we know what funding will be frozen, we cannot specify which services will be affected. Nevertheless, we assure you that we will continue to serve the Rockport community with the dedication and values you rely on.
We are concerned that the current Federal Administration does not prioritize investment in the nation’s libraries. In 2024, Massachusetts libraries reported 36 million visits, surpassing the attendance at Disneyland and exceeding the combined attendance of an entire season of Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, and Celtics games.
If you are interested, please read more from the following sources:
The Executive Order:
Statements from Library organizations:
American Library Association: https://www.ala.org/news/2025/03/ala-statement-white-house-assault-institute-museum-and-library-services
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners:
https://mblc.state.ma.us/federal-cuts.php
New England Library Association
https://bit.ly/3RwtYf7
Coverage by National Newspapers:
CBS:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/imls-museums-libraries-administrative-leave/
NPR:
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/31/nx-s1-5334415/doge-institute-of-museum-and-library-services
The Observer:
https://observer.com/2025/03/trump-executive-order-shuts-institute-of-museum-and-library-services/
Make Your Voice Heard
If you want to make your voice heard, the most effective way to do that right now is to contact your representative. You can sign one of the petitions below, or you can contact your federal or state representatives directly.
EveryLibrary Petition: Stop Trump’s E.O. Attacks on Federal Funding for Libraries
Show Up For Our Libraries (ALA)
Federal Legislators: FIND YOUR MEMBER
State Legislators: FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR