President Trump's administration has consistently diminished the support for libraries, most notably through the gutting of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This federal entity has provided crucial funding for libraries and museums across the nation. Recent cuts, especially targeting diversity and equity initiatives in grant applications from states like California, pose a significant threat to library services. Libraries play a vital role in providing access to information, literacy programs, and community resources, serving as essential equalizers in society, similar to universities and the free press.
"Libraries are not icing on the cake. They're not the cherry on top," John Szabo, the city librarian of the Los Angeles Public Library, told me. "They really, really are essential."
In 1996, Congress created the IMLS to handle a system of grants for libraries and museums. In 2024, that was about 600 grants amounting to about $270 million. Peanuts, but important peanuts - especially for rural and tribal libraries.
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