The Impact of Executive Orders on Library Services

On Friday, March 14, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order intended to severely reduce funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services.

The IMLS describes its scope of impact as “the largest source of federal funding for libraries in the nation, directing population-based funding for all 50 states. This work enables libraries located in geographically and economically diverse areas to deliver essential services that make it possible for individuals and communities to flourish.” IMLS funding provides a significant portion of the budget of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The MBLC provides statewide services to libraries, in which Wayland Free Public Library benefits from enormously. 

The MBLC receives $3.6 million from IMLS’ Grants to States Program. The MBLC uses federal IMLS funds to provide statewide library services for everyone. Cuts to the services funded by IMLS will be drastic to libraries, especially libraries in smaller communities.

The cut in funding will impact libraries in Massachusetts.

With cuts to IMLS funding, all libraries in our state, including Wayland Free Public Library, will lose a significant tool for maintaining, delivering and developing innovative services for its patrons.

Current services that could be affected include:

• Library eBooks and eAudiobooks – The MBLC uses federal funds to support statewide library electronic books and audiobooks. The cut in federal funding will mean fewer ebooks and audiobooks, with less choices and longer wait times.
• Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat) – ComCat allows Wayland patrons to borrow books from libraries outside of the Minuteman Library Network. Statewide, people borrow nearly 7,500 items through ComCat each month.
• Databases – The statewide database programs provides access to research databases that some communities could not afford to purchase on its own.
• Summer Reading – The MBLC uses federal funds to support Summer Reading Program throughout Massachusetts.

Learn More

• Federal Funding at Risk – from the MBLC
• Bipartisan Effort to Preserve Support for Public Libraries & Museums – from the MBLC
• American Library Association on Impact of Cuts to IMLS Funding
• School Library Journal on Impact of Cuts to IMLS Funding for School Libraries

What You Can Do

• Show Up for Our Libraries – from ALA (American Library Association)
• Contact your State legislators