New Executive Order’s Potential Impact on Libraries

In a new executive order issued last Friday night, Mar 14, 2025, President Trump has singled out the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which is the federal agency tasked with distributing congressionally appropriated funds to state libraries, which are in turn used to fund statewide initiatives and subgrants to libraries. In Missouri, $3,338,467 in federal funds were provided to the Missouri State Library to fund, among other things, a statewide courier system allowing libraries to share items to maximize what is available to all Missouri library users. Also provided is funding for an integrated library system consortium (Missouri Evergreen), which allows 80+ libraries to share a card catalog system, further strengthening the idea of resource sharing amongst libraries. These federal funds also support the Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library and the Missouri Digital Heritage project, which is aimed at digitally preserving Missouri’s history and historical documents.

For Boonslick Regional Library (BRL), federal funds are used to provide our staff training opportunities, including the Homeless Training Institute and the statewide courier. BRL has also used federal funds to apply for grants to purchase computers and servers, Early Literacy Stations, self-check stations, Playaways, and launchpads for patrons. While eliminating this agency would impact BRL, the financial strain it would cause for Missouri’s rural and smaller libraries would be devastating.

The Executive Order states that IMLS must be reduced to its “statutory functions” and that all non-statutory components and functions…shall be eliminated to the maximum extent.” Currently, the Grants to States allocations that directly impact state libraries is a statutory function, but it is unclear if there is a move to modify that; thus, the outcry from libraries and their supporters is taking place nationwide after the release of this news.

BRL is committed to providing the best, community-focused related programs and services to our communities. Still, we are also committed to speaking up and supporting the entire library community, especially in Missouri.