It’s Wednesday. Today I thought I’d spend a little bit of time focusing on a specific target of DOGE’s cuts: The Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS). This is just one piece of the many, many cuts Trump and Musk are enacting on the government, but I wanted to highlight the damage this will do to communities across the country.

IMLS is a major source of funding for libraries. While it’s true that public libraries get the bulk of their funding from local taxes, IMLS enables many of the fantastic programming and services you may have enjoyed from your library: The summer reading program that incentivizes kids and adults alike to read. Platforms such as Overdrive (the Libby app!) and Hoopla that give you access to books, audiobooks, comics, and movies. Classes for job seekers. Digital literacy programming to bridge the digital divide. Technology that you can try out. Even loaning programs for things such as seeds or tools. School Library Journal has collected further stories from library staff across the country on the impacts of these cuts.

The IMLS comprises less than .003% of the federal bunge. It yields incredible dividends for our population, particularly those who have the least means. Several Avocados (like me!) work in libraries – these cuts threaten the work we do and potentially our employment. All of this despite Congress’ budget containing continuing funding for the IMLS.

This is just a small piece of Trump’s ongoing disaster. And these cuts are also only a fraction of the threats facing libraries right now, as they’re increasingly targeted by the right for the services, books, and information they provide.

There are many things I hope you’re taking a stand for, in whatever ways you are able to – protesting, causing Good Trouble (shout out to SheleetaHam for posting ongoing opportunities), contacting your reps, whatever you can do. I just ask you to add libraries to the list of things you’re fighting for. 

Be kind and thoughtful today. Cheers.