On April 6, a federal court granted the Trump Administration’s request to withdraw its appeal of a federal judge’s earlier ruling that struck down the Administration’s dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services—the only federal agency dedicated to providing funding for the nation’s libraries.
The proposed Fiscal Year 2027 federal budget released April 3 by the White House would cut funding for the only federal agency dedicated to supporting all types of libraries, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the school library program Innovative Approaches to Literacy, and several library-eligible programs.
We need library supporters nationwide to contact their U.S. Senators now to encourage them to sign “Dear Appropriator” letters requesting funding for federal library programs by the April 17 deadline. It’s easy to do with our simple form.
February is Library Lovers Month, and to celebrate, audiobook company Libro.fm is giving a free audiobook credit to anyone who donates $15 or more to the American Library Association (ALA) or their local public library or library Friends group now through February 28.
Following a decision in federal court, the Institute of Museum and Library Services announced it had reinstated all of the grants it had previously terminated.
Bullying can impact individuals in any environment, but it can be particularly devastating in an educational setting. Students and a school librarian in Montana decided to address the issue directly with help from an American Library Association grant.
It’s National Friends of Libraries Week! Now in its 20th year, this weeklong celebration recognizes all the incredible things that volunteer Friends groups do for their local libraries. Want to get involved? We have you covered!
In Dunkerton, Iowa, population 842, more than 15% of the population lives with some type of disability. Dunkerton Public Library has stepped up to serve this community, using funds it received from ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant to help older adults with mobility issues, people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and those who are blind or low vision to fully participate in all library services.
On September 3, the American Library Association and a coalition of 13 partner organizations filed an amicus brief in Rhode Island v. Trump, a lawsuit brought by 21 state Attorneys General urging a federal court to uphold an injunction against the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful attempt to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
While court cases related to President Trump’s attempt to gut the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Department of Education move forward, we urgently need Congress to ensure that library programs receive full federal funding in the next fiscal year. We need everyone to call and urge Congress to support libraries before the July 21 deadline. It’s vital for the future of our libraries.
