Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story was mistakenly published in the April 24 print issue. We apologize for the error.
On March 14, the White House issued an executive order calling for several governmental entities to be “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is one of them. The executive order, entitled “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” has caused IMLS funding to be frozen indefinitely. The IMLS provides funding for museums and libraries nationwide, and Emporia’s local libraries depend on this funding for many of their services.
Pauline Stacchini, executive director of the Emporia Public Library, explained that the IMLS does not directly fund the EPL. Instead, the State Library of Kansas receives a grant-in-aid from the IMLS. According to Alex Mosakowski, librarian at William Allen White Library, IMLS funds comprised 30 percent of the State Library of Kansas’ budget last year. This money funds services available to Kansas libraries, including the interlibrary loan service, databases and Talking Books.
The interlibrary loan service is a courier service that allows libraries to borrow materials from other libraries in Kansas if a patron requests something that they do not have on their shelves. The library pays a relatively small amount for the service based on the size of the library, but it is free to patrons.
“So here at Emporia, we actually have a ton of patrons who are really looking for specific titles that might be older… that we just don’t have on our shelf,” said Stacchini. “So we can see what other libraries in Kansas have it. We can ask them to borrow it… That’s kind of a way all libraries are saved from having to own every single book that’s ever been published.”
If funding for these services is not reinstated, Stacchini anticipates that the courier service will become less accessible for EPL patrons. Without the current system in place, it would take much longer to determine what other library has a specific title, and the material would have to go through USPS without the courier service. Using USPS would make acquiring these titles much more expensive. Stacchini speculates that EPL would have to purchase fewer books, limit patrons from utilizing the loan services as often or even charge patrons to use those services.
Patrons of EPL also have access to some databases, like Mango Language, a program for adults and children to learn new languages. Without IMLS funding, these services would be limited.
Kansas Talking Books is a service offered to those who are visually impaired, have reading disabilities, or who otherwise have difficulties with print materials. The service allows individuals to get audio versions of books, magazines and more.
Talking Books is located at Emporia State in the Memorial Union. Mosakowski explained that anyone who needs a print read out loud can send a request to have a volunteer record themselves reading it. After volunteers record the audio, they will send it back on a USB drive. Without funding for Talking Books, people in need of audio recordings could lose immediate access to print materials.
IMLS funding cuts hit close to ESU in another way. The State Library of Kansas has databases that are specifically for KBOR institutions. ESU does not budget for these databases because they are free for the school to use. So, if these databases are no longer available for free, the University will have to adjust its budget to accommodate.
Mosakowski brings up nursing databases in particular, which are expensive and only available through the State Library.
“Our priority is to make sure that resources we have are going to the most critical programs and curriculum here at ESU,” he said. “So we will just continue to evaluate what are the most important needs for the students and for the faculty. So I use the nursing example– If we lose nursing databases through the State Library, then I can’t imagine that we’re not going to have nursing databases, but we’re going to have to pay for them ourselves. So then we’re, where do we cut?”
Mosakowski said that ESU has a relatively large database budget, but this is not necessarily the case for non-KBOR institutions like technical colleges. These colleges have access to databases like allied nursing, according to Stacchini, but they would have to pay a lot of money for the databases if they lost access.
“If the IMLS funding is not restored, that’s going to hurt Kansans across the state,” Stacchini commented. “It’s going to hurt Kansans whose small libraries don’t have the budget to buy anything, not databases, not every new book ever written. It’s going to hurt people who might need extra help to read.”
Although libraries are preparing for the worst, no decisions have been made by the State Library as a lawsuit against the Trump administration ensues. Mosakowski explained that the American Library Association, an organization that advocates for libraries nationally, is suing on behalf of all libraries on the basis that the freezing of funding is unlawful. They argue that since Congress established the current IMLS funding in 2018, a certain amount of money has to be spent.
Whatever the result of the lawsuit or any decision regarding IMLS funding, Stacchini remains confident in the future of the “people’s university.”
“Libraries are good at resistance,” she stated. “Libraries have weathered a lot. Libraries are here to serve people, and if people want to know how to advocate for libraries, they should definitely contact our representatives and our senators in D.C. and tell them Kansas libraries need IMLS funds. Overturn the executive order.”
