HopNews
President Trump signed Executive Order 14238 on March 14, directing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to reduce its funding to the maximum extent permitted by law. On March 31, IMLS leadership placed all staff on administrative leave.
The IMLS is the federal institution that routes federal funding to states for further distribution to libraries, and to individual libraries and museums through grant programs. IMLS awarded $266 million in grants and research funding last year. This program makes up less than 0.003% of the federal budget.
In 2024, Massachusetts libraries reported 36 million visits; more than Disneyland, and more people than attend an entire season of Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, and Celtics games combined.
IMLS Cuts Threaten Shared Library Services and Equitable Access in Massachusetts
To speak of the financial loss to the Hopkinton Public Library due to the gutting of the IMLS would be disingenuous, as most of the funding that the IMLS disburses in Massachusetts pays for state-wide, shared services that strengthen libraries across the state, providing vital services that individual libraries, particularly small libraries, would struggle to afford on their own.
The loss of the IMLS and the funding it provides will directly and indirectly affect the quality and variety of services that you, as a library patron, can access, regardless of your home library.
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) manages IMLS funding to purchase databases accessible to every public and school library in the state. School libraries use these databases 60% of the time.
Last year, there were over 9 million full-text downloads from these databases. If you have used Gale databases, ProQuest databases, or Britannica Online at the library or at school, you have benefited from IMLS funds. The MBLC also uses IMLS funding to support the Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat), which helps libraries share books across the entire state. Each month, 7,500 items are shared through this system.
Our library network, CW MARS, also benefits from IMLS funding. If you use Libby to borrow e-books or e-audiobooks, some of the annual fees for administering that platform are paid through IMLS funding. The loss of this funding would result in a smaller variety of available books, fewer copies of popular books, and even longer wait lines, which we know is already a pain point for our e-content readers.
Preserving History and Expanding Accessibility: Hopkinton Public Library Faces Funding Uncertainty
The Hopkinton Public Library has additionally benefitted from grants funded through the IMLS. Recently, the Library was awarded $20,000 for an Access for All grant. This funding allowed the Library to do an accessibility survey of the library; to purchase sensory materials for the children’s department; and to offer American Sign Language to our staff.
The IMLS awarded us $6,000 to complete a Preservation Assessment Grant, enabling us to obtain professional recommendations for improving our Local History Room. These improvements would assist us in preserving books, records, and items which exemplify Hopkinton’s rich and complex history. Many of these items are centuries old and one-of-a-kind. The IMLS also funded the grants that the Library would have applied for to implement these improvements. As of now, we do not know whether this funding will still be available or whether we will be able to make the necessary improvements to preserve our history.
The Hopkinton Public Library is committed to serving our patrons to the best of our ability. However, as with so many things, intentions can only take us so far. Suppose the MBLC and CW MARS lose funding for databases, ComCat, e-books, and other benefits shared among Massachusetts libraries.
In that case, the Hopkinton Library will need to divert resources to address those needs locally or choose to lose those services entirely. This would require us to make some hard choices about what services we can continue to provide.
Commitment to Serving Hopkinton Amid Uncertain Funding Challenges
The situation is changing daily. Until we determine which funding will be frozen, we cannot say with certainty which services will be affected. However, we assure you that we will continue serving the Hopkinton community with the dedication and values you rely on.
We feel dismayed that the current Federal Administration does not prioritize investing in this country’s libraries.
Explore more through the following sources:
The Executive Order:
Statements from Library organizations:
American Library Association: https://www.ala.org/news/2025/03/ala-statement-white-house-assault-institute-museum-and-library-services
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners:
https://mblc.state.ma.us/federal-cuts.php
New England Library Association
https://bit.ly/3RwtYf7
Of course they don’t prioritize libraries. Why should people be educated and have access to resources and history?
Libraries help educate. Why would they want their base or anyone one else have access to actual knowledge?
What a misleading headline. The library and its future will be just fine without the $20,000 for an Access for All grants and others like it….
An accessibility survey of the library?
Purchase sensory materials for the children’s department?
American Sign Language for staff?
Candidly – after seeing what the money is for – you make the case for cutting it. Every one of those is a ‘nice to have’ and can be easily done without. Considering our government is trillions in debt – this is exactly the kind of frivolous spending that can be alleviated.
Dramatizing it with headlines that the cuts are ‘causing an uncertain future for library’ is ridiculous. The books are there, and people can still check them out. Mission accomplished.