IMLS on “Administrative Leave”: Act Now!

We learned yesterday that all staff members at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) were placed on administrative leave. If IMLS cannot operate effectively, it would have significant, negative consequences for libraries across the country, including libraries here in New Jersey. It has never been more important for libraries to speak with one voice: We join ALA in urging you to contact your members of Congress right away to make sure they understand how important it is for them to intercede on behalf of your library and community.

New Jersey, through the State Library, receives about $4.5 million from IMLS each year through the Grants to States program. These funds support the Talking Book and Braille Center, and help to fund libraries’ technology backbone through JerseyConnect and important research tools for public, academic, and K-12 libraries across New Jersey through JerseyClicks. The State Library also received almost $750,000 from IMLS to develop resources to support New Jersey’s K-12 information literacy standard. All of this is in addition to the vital research projects and data collection that IMLS provides to libraries across the country.

Please visit the new NJLA website for information about IMLS and other pressing issues that affect New Jersey, and follow ALA’s Show Up for Our Libraries for IMLS and other nationwide issues.

Last year, NJLA updated its mission statement: Developing library workers, uniting the library community. There is power in being part of a united community — if we all do our part.