Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Updates

IMLIS Staffing Update

Friday, March 28, 2025, we learned that the NH Congressional Delegation issued a press release in support of IMLS. Most recently, on March 31, 2025, all staff at IMLS have been placed on administrative leave. It is still unclear what this will actually mean for us, and libraries across the State, I will continue to post updates as I learn more.

Proposed Amendment to Close the State Library

On Monday, March 24, a member of the NH State House Finance Committee proposed an amendment to their proposed budget that would close the State Library. After numerous state residents emailed and contacted elected officials overnight, the primary sponsor of the amendment withdrew the amendment from consideration. Thanks to the NH community for effectively communicating the role of the State Library, and the services it provides to the Granite State.

Executive Order Reducing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Its Impact on New Hampshire Library Users

An executive order issued Friday, March 14^th, 2025 calls for the reduction and elimination of functions of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which is an independent federal agency that supports libraries and museums in all 50 states and U.S. territories. This decision will greatly impact Sandown residents and Granite Staters.

In our state, the New Hampshire State Library currently has $1.5 million of IMLS money to fund its interlibrary loan program (ILL), as well as the online catalog and van service to support it. In 2024, the Sandown Public Library loaned out 791 items to other libraries using the ILL service, and borrowed 636 items from other libraries to support the needs of our patrons.

The State Library also uses IMLS money to provide you with Talking Book services, and Libby, the eBook, eAudio and digital magazine platform. In 2024, Sandown Public Library patrons borrowed, on average, over 550 titles per month through Libby.

What does this mean for you?

This funding, if not available, will dramatically affect the above mentioned services that we currently provide to our patrons, crippling the collaboration between New Hampshire libraries, and drastically reducing access to materials library patrons would not otherwise have access to.

How can you help?

If you object to the elimination of these funds and the functions of IMLS that are specifically used to serve you, the public, we highly encourage you to contact your Congressional Delegation expressing why IMLS and the funds provided are critical, and how it will severely impact the many residents who rely on these valuable services, not only in our town, but around the State.

Thank you for supporting the power of libraries and as we learn more we will keep you posted with updates and other ways to help!