What is the IMLS? The Institute of Museum and Library Services, or IMLS, is an independent federal agency established in 1996 to support libraries, archives and museums in all 50 states and U.S. territories. With annual funding from Congress, the IMLS supports our nation’s 125,000 public, school, academic, and special libraries.
What is everyone talking about? On March 14, 2025, the president signed an Executive Order stating seven agencies, including IMLS, must be eliminated and all funding requests rejected.
What does this mean for grants to libraries? In March, the Senate passed a continuing resolution for fiscal year 2025, which provides funding for IMLS through September 2025. However, the Executive Order usurps Congress’ decision to provide funding, so it is currently unclear how current or future grants will be impacted.
What’s the potential impact on the Chattanooga Public Library? The Tennessee State Library & Archives receives about $3-4 million from IMLS annually. This funding covers a wide list of library-related expenses, including:
CPL receives roughly $435,000 of this funding each year, along with additional grants that are periodically awarded for technology purchases. Everything the library does is funded primarily through two sources: The City of Chattanooga and IMLS.
Thanks to funding from the City and its taxpayers, CPL’s staffing and operational costs are covered. But for everything else, CPL relies on annual IMLS funding and other IMLS grants. This includes books (physical books as well as e-books, e-audiobooks, and streaming content), public computers, printers, fax machines, 4th Floor Makerspace equipment and machinery, and our staff computers and printers. While the elimination of IMLS only creates a minimal savings of 0.003% to the federal budget, the impact on our library services, resources, and programs may be felt for decades to come.
What should we do as library supporters? The Library Administrative team, the Board of Directors and the Library Foundation are being proactive about diversifying revenue sources, and will keep everyone updated as things move along. Click here to view the Board and Foundation’s Letter to the Editor. For now, everyone is encouraged to let your elected officials know how much libraries mean to you.
The American Library Association has created some tools to make it easy to stand up for your libraries. Use the links below for a simplified way to Call or Email your elected officials.
If you would prefer to send an email directly to your elected officials, below is a list of senators and representatives for our area.
U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann
Click here to email
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn
Click here to email
U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty
Click here to email
