1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern about the President’s executive order issued on March 14th to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The IMLS is the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services in every community. Libraries serve students, families, veterans, businesses, unemployed and underemployed, disabled, and seniors. Our local libraries support our communities in countless ways every day. They have to work with a modest investment of 0.003% from the federal budget and provide no-fee, non-partisan services for all. Dismantling IMLS will have profound and long-lasting impacts on the delivery of services to every community. Friday’s action is a rejection of Congressional intent that every community have at least basic information services. I strongly oppose any efforts to eliminate IMLS and cut its funding. I urge Congress to overturn the March 14 executive order, and to continue at least level funding for IMLS in fiscal year 2026.