Dear Reader,



By now, you may have heard that President Trump issued an Executive Order that calls for eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

There are more than 1.2 billion visits to libraries and museums each year.

The IMLS is the only federal agency dedicated to supporting and funding America's libraries. California was the biggest recipient of IMLS funding in 2024, including nearly $16 million for libraries through the Grants to States program, an additional $1.8 million in other library grants, and nearly $9 million for Museums.

IMLS supports interlibrary loan programs, community learning initiatives, and essential services for tribal and rural communities. Grants equip libraries with critical resources for literacy programs, STEM and workforce development, small business support, and expanded access to information, to help ensure that communities of all sizes have the tools they need to thrive.

Some of this includes grants and training for library systems, including ours, and programmatic support. It also supports resources such as access to The New York Times and CalMatters for Learning.  

For more details about how the California State Library invests federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds, see here:

https://www.library.ca.gov/services/to-libraries/lsta/funds/

For the American Library Association's response to the executive order, see here:

https://www.ala.org/news/2025/03/ala-statement-white-house-assault-institute-museum-and-library-services

HOW TO HELP

Take action.

Please look here for details:

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/show-up-for-our-libraries

Stay informed.

We'll also keep in touch to let you know what happens next.

The Foundation raises funds to benefit all five locations of the Berkeley Public Library.

We join with others to advocate for the advancement of literacy in all its forms and the role of public libraries in creating a world that works for all.