Since the executive order to reduce the size of the Institute of Museums and Library Services on March 14th, we have received questions daily about how this will affect libraries nationally, statewide, and locally, specifically here at the Norwich Public Library. The second question is usually, “What can I do?” 

Here is a brief timeline of the executive order and IMLS:

• March 14, 2025 – Executive order issued
• March 15, 2025 – The American Library Association releases statement 
• March 25, 2025 – Vermont LIbrary Association issued statement of support for IMLS and for library services 
• March 26, 2025 – Senators Jack Reed (RI), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Susan Collins (ME), and Lisa Murkowski (AK) sent a bipartisan letter of support for IMLS to the Acting Director of IMLS, Keith Sonderling. These four senators were the lead authors of the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) of 2018.
• March 31 – All IMLS staff placed on administrative leave

The first thing to understand is that there are two types of libraries in Vermont: Municipal and Incorporated. NPL is an incorporated library (a 501c3 non-profit) — meaning, we request partial funding for each fiscal year through the town, with Norwich voters holding the power to approve or not. The remaining amount — typically about 30% of what it takes to run the library — is fundraised. This is why we run an Annual Appeal during our fiscal year (July 1-June 31) to solicit donations and also collect signatures for the town vote. 

Municipal libraries are directly funded by local taxpayers, receiving an allotment of the town’s budget, and are essentially town departments.

Much is unknown about how this executive order will play out, but there are three main things that will be affected: 

1. InterLibrary Loan – In 2024, we received and sent out 1,967 books through ILL. If Vermont loses the federal funding that goes toward an ILL-specific courier service, we will have to send the books by post, which would cost an average of $5.11/book, totalling over $10,000. Once municipal libraries run out of their postage budget, they can no longer send or receive books, greatly limiting the network of accessible books. 
2. Digital Resources and Databases – NPL would lose access to the things like: ebooks and audiobooks available through the Palace Project, the scientific and business journals, magazines, newspapers, online classes, and legal forms on Vermont Online Library, and the Historical Vermont Newspapers archive. 
3. Grants – funding for programs like the Summer Reading Program, increasing internet access – particularly in rural libraries – facility renovations, and administrative support. 

What can you do?

Contact your representative, sign a petition, join a protest, share your story, volunteer at a library, donate to a library, get a library card and use it defiantly. Check out more here:

Suggestions from ALA
Suggestions from VLA

Continued Reading

3/24 – “Over $1M for Vermont libraries in limbo after executive order” – Vermont Public
3/25 – “Upper Valley libraries say Trump executive order creates financial uncertainty” – Valley News
3/31 – “Entire staff at federal agency that funds libraries and museums put on leave” – npr
3/31 – “An Open Letter to State Leaders Urging Bold Action” – ACLU Vermont & 119 signees, including the Vermont Library Association
4/1 – “[Vermont Library Association President (Mary)] Danko: Support for IMLS” – Times Argus
4/4 – “Attorney General Clark Sues Trump Administration to Protect Libraries and Museums” – Office of the Vermont Attorney General
4/4 – “Vermont libraries, museums grapple with uncertain funding future” – VTDigger
4/10 – “Tracking changes to federal funds in Vermont under the Trump administration” – Vermont Public