President Eliminates Federal Library Funding :: Take Action :: Tell Congress to #FundLibraries

President Eliminates Federal Library Funding Take Action

Tell Congress to #FundLibraries

ALA

Tweet at your members of Congress and ask them to publicly oppose cuts to federal library funding.

#FundLibraries

In the White House budget proposal for FY2020, the administration has once again proposed elimination of direct federal funding for libraries. The majority of this funding is provided through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent grantmaking agency.

IMLS provides more than $189.3 million for libraries through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and its grants promote innovation, lifelong learning, research and access to information every single person in the United States. The proposal also will also cut $27 million in funding for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program, which helps school libraries buy books, materials, and training focused on serving students in the most vulnerable communities across America, along with cuts to programs like NEH and NEA.

Please tweet at your Members of Congress and ask them to publicly oppose cuts to federal library funding and ask them to commit to fighting for libraries throughout the appropriations cycle.

The House deadline is March 28.

Email now, as letters will close a few days before the deadline. Stay tuned for a similar call to action for the Senate in the coming days.

Want to see if your representative has signed already?

Check our appropriations letter tracker.

Need more info?

Read the latest advocacy news in American Libraries magazine online.

Want to do more?

➤ Invite members of Congress to visit your library.

Check out these tips for organizing a visit.

➤ Tell your story.

Write a letter to the editor or share your story with ALA, who will hand-deliver it to your member of Congress.

➤ Post about the impact of IMLS funding in your library or state.

Tag your story with #FundLibraries.

➤ Not sure how IMLS funding is used in your state?

Look it up in the IMLS database.

➤ Add a Twibbon or Facebook frame to your profile.
Twibbon: #FundLibraries.

Facebook Frame: Facebook.com/profilepicframes and search "American Library Association."