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President’s cut to libraries kneecaps communities and individuals


With the stroke of a pen on March 14, President Trump cut more than $4 million for 94 library systems in Virginia.

When he signed the EO Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy, Trump annihalated funding for libraries and museums across the country. This is not an overstatement. The EO says,

Sec. 2. Reducing the Scope of the Federal Bureaucracy.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental entities shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, and such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law. . .

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is one of seven federal agencies covered by this EO.

IMLS implemented the statutorily required Grants to States Program pursuant to the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 (PDF) (Title II of P.L. 94–462). Through this program, the feds directed $4.3 million to Virginia in FY 2024. Funding is determined by a population-based formula. IMLS has made additional funding available to states and libraries on a competitive basis.

In Virginia, Grants to States Program funding is used “for statewide projects and programs that expand services for learning and development, equal access to accurate and reliable information resources, and the availability of technology so crucial to an educated, productive, and engaged public.” (Source: Library of Virginia, LSTA Funding In Virginia: Making our Libraries and our Citizens Stronger) Categories of services paid for by federal funding is shown below in LSTA Funding in Virginia.

Examples of the online access made possible by the Grants to States Program are Explora, accel5, Libby, and Brainfuse VetNow:

  • Explora: “Explora searches a comprehensive collection of full-text general interest articles from periodicals, newspapers, and books.” (Source)

  • accel5: Created for business owners, this online site offers videos, summaries of business and leadership books, and articles by industry leaders.

  • Libby: A way to borrow a variety of reading material from local libraries without them having to own the materials. Libby can be used via smartphone app, digital reading device, and computers.

  • Brainfuse VetNow: An online tool to connect veterans with experts to discuss VA benefits and community resources.

At least at Northumberland Public Library, the March 14 cut will eliminate online services available to library users and staff.



While individual library allocations have not been made available by the Library of Virginia and the state budget office, IMLS reports FY 2022 revenue sources by library and those on the NNK are shown in the image above. Additional information is available on the IMLS site: Central Virginia Regional Library details FY 2022 (serving Westmoreland County), Lancaster Community Library details FY 2022, Northumberland Public Library details FY 2022, and Richmond County Public Library details FY 2022.

The survey results shows that only two of the four library systems on the NNK report receiving federal funds. What I think IMLS shows is that Northumberland and Richmond, and perhaps Lancaster and Westmoreland (Central), report receiving IMLS funds as state funding. Neither the Library of Virginia nor the Virginia budget office will answer questions related to Grants to States federal funding generally and by-county allocations.

What the Lancaster and Northumberland library leaders have been crystal clear about is that the electronic resources are not niceties but essential. School students use test prep for their current and future studies, adults use to improve their workforce skills, veterans use to access services and supports. In these ways, the Grants to States supports elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education and is an economic development booster.

Speak up for the high-impact investment the feds make locally by calling your elected officials. Use the 5 calls Save the Institute of Museum & Library Services (UPDATED 3/31) script to contact Senator Warner, Senator Kaine, and Rep. Rob Wittman.




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