.png)
GUEST OPINION
NEWPORT — Several years ago, I had the opportunity to meet with a representative from Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office on behalf of our Library District and I thanked him for her support of funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). “Huh,” he said.
“No one has ever mentioned that program to us before. I’ll pass that along.”
I’m not surprised that the IMLS flies under the radar of the general public or Congressional aides, for that matter. Funded at just $294.8 million in 2024, or 0.0043% of the federal budget, the IMLS is the little program that could, funding significant supports for libraries and museums across the country. Nearly 918% of budgeted funds go toward direct support of libraries and museums. It is one of the most bipartisan programs around, enjoying longstanding support from Republicans and Democrats alike.
The entirety of the state’s IMLS funding has been rescinded as of April 1.
In Washington, the IMLS’s grants to states program infuses just under $4 million annually to the Washington State Library, who then uses those funds to support a myriad of programs, staff, and grants and support to any number of the state’s almost 2,500 libraries.
Here in Pend Oreille County, we have several programs at our libraries that would not exist without the IMLS. For example, recognizing that virtual reality (VR) is an up-and-coming method for job training, especially in the trades, the IMLS funded VR setups for libraries to help people get familiar with the technology prior to being in the workforce. Six years later, we still utilize the equipment and training they provided to enhance the skills of our local community. In addition to direct support to our Library District, we receive indirect support through the Washington State Library’s IMLS funding. We were able to digitize the North Pend Oreille County Heritage Collection, which the state library still hosts online, thanks to federal funds. We receive access to LinkedIn Learning, an online, video-based learning platform with courses taught by experts in their fields, at no direct cost to Pend Oreille County residents because the state library is supporting the cost with their IMLS funding. We receive access to ProQuest, both their adult and youth focused academic databases, the same way.
Knowing this, you can imagine my great disappointment to see President Trump’s March 14 Executive Order that dismantles the IMLS. Without IMLS funding, not only will we lose access to future programs, federal grant funding, and currently funded research and learning tools, many of the Washington State Library’s ancillary programs will cease to exist.
For instance, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library is run by the state library via IMLS funding. The shuttering of these services will have devastating impacts to the blind and hard of hearing or deaf residents in our county who utilize them.
While there is some hope that Congressionally authorized funding will still be distributed, I am not comfortable relying on hope alone. Innovation takes investment, and the IMLS has been investing in us since the 90s. I encourage you to contact our federally elected representatives in support of the IMLS.
Senator Patty Murray: www.murray.senate. gov/write-to-patty/ Senator Maria Cantwell: www.cantwell.senate. gov/contact/email/form Representative Michael Baumgartner: baumgartner.house.gov/contact/email-me DC Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
