Support Federal Library Funding

What’s at Stake for Wisconsin Libraries?

On March 14, an executive order was issued that led to the shutdown of the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The IMLS, a small federal agency with around 70 employees, is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries, archives, museums, and zoos.  IMLS distributes more than $200 million annually, including millions in federal funds to Wisconsin.  At just .0046% of the federal budget, these funds provide immeasurable benefits to communities across the country, particularly in rural areas. 

This shuttering of the IMLS puts crucial services at risk across the country—and especially here in Wisconsin. Federal law requires IMLS to provide support to public libraries, but that support is currently only guaranteed through September 2025.  Advocating for your local library is crucial right now!

You can help.

• Reach out to your federal legislators by phone, email, or mail to share your support and express why IMLS funding is important for our community libraries.  You can even pick up free postcards at the Olson Memorial Library!

• May 2025 Update:  Contact Representative Tiffany and Senators Baldwin and Johnson and urge them to add their names to the “Dear Appropriator” letters for 2026 federal library funding.  Find draft scripts for Rep. Tiffany here and Sens. Baldwin and Johnson here.
• You can also record a video story to share with the Department of Public Instruction, the state library agency.
• For more information on what this means for Wisconsin libraries and what you can do, visit https://mywisconsinlibrary.org/.