CA State Librarian’s statement regarding federal funding for state and local libraries

Good morning California Library Community — As you may already be aware, President Trump issued an executive order last evening targeting the Institute for Museum & Library Services, which provides federal funding to support libraries in California and the other 49 states.     The executive order says that “non-statutory components and functions … be eliminated” and that “entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.” The State Library has had nothing but strong support from the institute’s staff and I want to thank them again for that and offer whatever help I can to them.  The institute and the other agencies listed in the executive order have seven days to respond.  While certainly not a good turn of events, it’s not yet clear what President Trump’s action actually means for federal funding for California, the bulk of which the State Library uses to support local libraries. Congress was explicit in the 2018 Museum and Library Services Act that the institute is statutorily required to send federal funding to state libraries under the Grants to States program.  EveryLibrary, the advocacy group for libraries, has issued a statement that talks about these statutory obligations:  https://www.everylibrary.org/statementimls2025  The State Library will keep advocating for federal funding but the more voices echoing the value of federal investment in libraries and the communities they serve, the more likely a sufficient number of federal decision makers will act to continue that investment.  EveryLibrary offers you the opportunity to urge Congress to continue federal funding for libraries here:  https://action.everylibrary.org/eoimls2025.  The State Library will keep you informed as things evolve.  – Greg Lucas California State Librarian _____ Please feel free to send COMPASS questions to compass@library.ca.gov but also be aware that staff may not be able to answer without additional information and/or consulting with other State Library staff. Note that the funding source for the COMPASS resources and training-related expenses come from state education funds allocated to the Riverside County Office of Education. COMPASS staff are full time employees of the State Library and part of the state library services staff.