From the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA):
On March 14, President Trump signed an Executive Order involving the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and other federal agencies.
There are still unanswered questions about this order and its potential impact on federal funding for libraries nationally as well as here closer to home. While we wait for the IMLS to release its plan of compliance with the order, WLA leadership and its Library Development & Legislation (LD&L) Committee are communicating with our partners at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, leaders within the 15 public library systems around the state, other state library associations, and the American Library Association. We will share more information as it becomes available to us.
From the American Library Association (ALA):
This White House announcement orders that seven agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), be eliminated to the maximum extent of the law and the agencies are ordered to reduce their services and personnel to the minimum amount required to perform the functions required by law.
The announcement also orders the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reject any budget requests from IMLS (and the other six named agencies) other than funds needed to shut down the agency.
Learn more about what this means here: FAQ: Executive Order Targeting IMLS
Read the Janesville Gazette's story from April 9, 2025: Library directors: Federal funding cuts will devastate local programming.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Get a Library Card and Use Your Library
Get a Card: If you don't already have a card, now is the perfect time to get one!
Use Your Card: Check out books, movies, music and more every week.
Visit the Library: Use library services and resources often - or check out a program.
2. Call Your Members of Congress.
Use this form to make a call in support of federal library funding. Enter your address in the form, and then click the call button to receive a phone call that connects you with your elected officials.
3. Email Your Members of Congress.
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!
4. Help spread the word on social media.
Follow this link for social media graphics and sample social posts to help get the word out!
5. Share a short video.
Learn what's at stake for Wisconsin libraries and show your support by creating a short video using this Google Form.