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Federal Library Legislation

 

Call to Action! PSLA Statement on IMLS Funding Cuts

March 19, 2025

The situation with federal library funding is dire! The Executive Order (EO) signed by President Trump states that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) must be reduced to its "statutory functions,” not totally eliminated. Statutory obligations include grants that help fund state/public libraries (LSTA), the National Leadership Grants, grant programs to Native and Hawaiian libraries, and the research portfolio. PSLA has been granted IMLS grants for years which has enabled us to provide vital programming and resources to our members at low or no cost. Many of our programs throughout the year are funded with federal money. Across the country libraries only receive 0.003% of the federal budget for programs and services used by more than 1.2 billion people every year which create, enhance, and promote early literacy development and grade-level reading programs, summer reading programs for kids, support education and training programs for future librarians, and award competitive grants to impact library services for our neediest student and community populations.

We encourage all PA school librarians to contact PA Congressional members of the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee to clarify and push back on cuts to IMLS and their funding. As a Pennsylvanian, you can contact all three PA representatives on the committee. See below for how to contact them and what to say!

  • CALL Rep. Glenn Thompson (R, PA District 15) or (only his constituents) EMAIL

  • CALL Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R, 7th Congressional District) or EMAIL

  • CALL  Rep. Rep. Summer L. Lee (D, 12th Congressional District) or EMAIL

Consider this ask:

“As a member of the PA delegation on the House Education and Workforce Committee, please ensure that the statutory obligations of IMLS are a commitment and continue to be funded in the Continuing Resolution. Those statutory commitments include Grants to States program which funds state/public libraries (LSTA), the National Leadership Grants, a grant program to Native and Hawaiian libraries, the research portfolio within IMLS and all current grants, awards, and contracts.

Please hold the Office of Budget Management accountable for these statutory obligations (including current and multi-year grant payouts) and the continuation of the agency's existence. Additionally, continue to fund the IMLS projects already obliged by congressional action for this fiscal year including funding for "contracts, grants, and agreements” as stated in the EO. Libraries are an important component of education and the fabric of our community. Please do not allow that to be diminished.”

 

For more information or to continue to contact your representatives about issues that matter to you consider these resources:

 

Updated February, 2024

Please take a few moments to encourage Senators Casey and Fetterman, as well as your local Representative, to co-sponsor the federal Right to Read legislation.

This is a perfect opportunity to flex our advocacy muscle and rally behind a bill at the federal level!

In April, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07) re-introduced the Right to Read Act to protect our school libraries from censorship and disinvestment. Since then, 35 members of Congress have co-sponsored this critical legislation. School librarians need more support in their fight for their students’ right to read.  Only one Representative – Mary Gay Scanlon, Philadelphia – from Pennsylvania has co-sponsored. 

Take these steps:

  1. Click below to tell your members of Congress to support school libraries, then share this action with your community. Post the link on Facebook, Twitter/X, and beyond.

 Tell Your Members: Co-Sponsor the Right to Read Act!

  1. Please take the time to add this text as the 3rd paragraph in the form: 

    In Pennsylvania, 52 school districts have zero school librarians, widening the gap between those schools that have instructional school librarians and well-stocked school libraries reflecting the diversity of our cultures and races. All PA students need equal opportunities to learn and study, not just those who live in more wealthy communities.

  2. Share this Call to Action with your colleagues and friends so that they can take action as well. Some key talking points:

    • The Right to Read Act (S. 5064 and H.R. 9056) would be a great step towards fighting for equal access to inclusive reading materials for all kids in schools and communities across the US.

    • Further, it fights against censorship efforts and advocates for all kids’ right to access diverse and responsive books and resources.

    • It increases literacy development grants, invests in certified school librarians, and reaffirms student First Amendment Rights to access school library materials, with increased protection for schools, teachers and school librarians.

  3. Visit this Google doc for suggested wording and more tips on contacting your Senators and Representative.