An Update On Federal Funding For Our Libraries

I wanted to provide some information about the presidential executive order signed Friday, March 14 pertaining to library funding. This order directs multiple federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services, to reduce functions outside the scope of what is statutorily required and to reduce resources for statutory functions to what is minimally required. 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is the only federal agency dedicated to funding libraries. These funds are approved by the US Congress. IMLS spending represents 0.0046% of the federal budget.

IMLS provides grants to the state library systems in all 50 states, and those funds are then distributed to the individual library systems within each state. Locally, our library system receives approximately $300,000 annually from the IMLS grant. This funding supports the purchase of books and materials for our library collection. Last year, Sarasota County residents borrowed more than 2.4 million items from our library system.

In other communities, IMLS funds help address unique needs, such as improving internet access in rural areas, supporting tribal libraries, and funding programs for veterans, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and more.

Statewide, Florida libraries serve over 43 million public library visits annually. Close to 60% of Florida’s 23+ million residents have library cards.

It is important to note that IMLS funding is the only money the State of Florida provides to Sarasota libraries, with the exception of possible construction grants for capital projects. 

You can reach out to our elected federal representatives to express your support for libraries and request that funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services stays intact.  Please let them know you use and value the services libraries provide in our community and throughout our state.

Here is the contact information for our federal representatives:

• Senator Ashley Moody
  (202) 224-3041
  Email contact form: https://www.moody.senate.gov/

• Senator Rick Scott
  (202) 224-5274
  Email contact form: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/contact

• Representative Vern Buchanan
  (202) 225-5015
  Email contact form: https://buchanan.house.gov/contact

• Representative Greg Steube
  (202) 225-5792
  Email contact form: https://steube.house.gov/contact/

We are closely following this situation and will keep you updated as we learn more.  You can also follow the American Library Association’s website for additional information and ways to take action.  EveryLibrary is another good source of information.

Alisa Mitchell
Executive Director
Alisa.Mitchell@SarasotaLibraryFoundation.org