1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

I am calling on you to overturn the President’s executive order issued on March 14 to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services in every community. IMLS supports our community in countless ways every day. Students, families, veterans, businesses, unemployed and underemployed, disabled, and seniors utilize services supported by IMLS. Librarians maximize 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. In 2018, Congress reauthorized IMLS by wide margins in the House and Senate and was signed into law by President Trump. 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.