Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Executive Order
Date postedMarch 28, 2025
NJLA continues its full support for, and partnership in, ALA’s efforts to support IMLS. Since we updated you last week:
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ALA sent a letter to IMLS Acting Director Keith Sonderling, warning him not to cut legally mandated programs for libraries and museums.
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ALA updated its FAQ, which explains the executive order about IMLS and provides calls to action.
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ALA released a statement on the importance of library funding, which included ways to help.
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ALA continues to make strong use of its social media presence (#ForOurLibraries), using its ALA accounts to urge library staff and the public to contact their Congressmembers. NJLA is boosting these posts, ensuring that anyone who follows us and doesn’t follow ALA will see these messages. Since the executive order came out on March 14, ALA's action center has generated more than 86,000 emails and 500 phone calls to Congressmembers.
It has never been more important for libraries to speak with one voice. Please share ALA’s talking points with colleagues and the public, along with the information that we shared last week: IMLS funds research grants and allocations to state libraries. These funds are important: New Jersey received approximately $4.5 million last year and the State Library used these funds to support vital services, including the Talking Book & Braille Center, databases that everyone in New Jersey can access, and digital services, including web hosting and Internet access.
Our representatives need to hear from us and our community members. Encourage your coworkers and the people in your community to advocate for IMLS and libraries. Make yourself heard!