Dear Patrons and Library Users,
As you may be aware, an Executive Order issued on March 14 ordered the dismantling and restructuring of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Every year, IMLS provides over five million dollars in support to Georgia libraries.
These funds support critical statewide Georgia programs and resources, including:
- Library circulation software
- PINES statewide interlibrary loan program
- Summer Reading Program
- GALILEO research databases
- Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
- Partnership and marketing grants
These services are provided to every community in Georgia at no additional cost to local taxpayers. Our access to them is fully funded by IMLS. This offers enormous value to local communities thanks to economies of scale.
The Georgia Public Library Service, our state agency, is able to negotiate contracts on behalf of all Georgia libraries that are more economical than if each library system had to negotiate independently.
In short, many of the services you know and enjoy from MRLS would not exist without IMLS grant funding. MRLS would have to ask its local funding partners (Fannin, Towns, and Union Counties) to increase contributions to maintain current service levels.
This is not political or partisan hyperbole—loss of funding has already begun for 3 states.
What can you do to help?
Contact your federal elected officials to express your support for IMLS. You don’t need to attempt to explain the full details of library funding—just ask them to support IMLS.
Congressional offices around the country are reporting that calls are pouring in from library supporters, and we want that to continue.
U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde – https://clyde.house.gov/contact/ ; (202) 225-9893; (470) 768-6520
It’s quick and simple to call the Washington offices of our representatives and senators with a direct request to protect IMLS and critical library funding for Georgia. You’ll speak with a staffer who will log your topic and request.
Thank you!
