For many people in the United States, the Federal government seems like an amorphous entity that doesn’t do much good. Years ago, when I was working at our town’s food pantry, I overheard a volunteer say in a vehement voice, “The government doesn’t do anything right.”
Turns out, that woman was wrong, very wrong. (I will be returning to this woman’s assertion in a future post.) With some agencies, such as Social Security, it’s easy to see how folks benefit from the federal government. Checks deposited in bank accounts have a way of attracting attention. Elon Musk and DOGE take note: checks not deposited in accounts also attract notice but of a very different kind. However, in other ways, the Federal government is so entwined in our lives that it’s often hard to see exactly what it does.
For example, consider libraries, institutions that are dear to my heart. In Maine, libraries are mostly supported by their communities through property taxes. (As far as I’m concerned, it’s money well spent.) What, exactly, does the federal government have to do with town libraries?
As it happens, quite a lot. There’s a federal agency called the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that gives grants to states for library and museum projects. In Maine, some of that money goes to help finance our state’s interlibrary loan system, the jewel in our literary crown. This means that an avid reader with eclectic tastes—that would be me—can go online and request books from libraries large and small from around the state. The books are then transported to the reader’s town library, where she picks them up at her convenience. For avid readers in a small town such as Winthrop, this a vital service . The world of stories and ideas opens beyond what one little library in a town of 6,000 can offer.
I’m sure you can guess what’s in the works for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Last month, President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the IMLS, and if he is successful, this could be the end of Maine’s interlibrary loan system. Across the state, most libraries run on a tight budget. (For six years, I was on the board of our town’s library, and I speak from personal experience.) It’s hard for to me envision how libraries will be able to make up the money that came from the IMLS grant.
But all is not lost. In a PBS article, I read, “Since the IMLS was created through…congressional legislation, it cannot simply be eliminated by an executive order. Congress would need to pass a law to repeal or defund it.”
Unfortunately, so far anyway, the Republican House and Senate have pretty much agreed with whatever Trump has come up with. I have let my representative and senators know that I oppose this executive order, but I don’t know if it will make any difference.
What will I do if our interlibrary loan system is eliminated? I don’t know. What a terrible thought to consider as we head into spring.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Not just our Interlibrary Loan Program, but digitization projects to preserve newspapers and historical documents and the government funded Talking Books Program for visually impaired readers. I am heartbroken about what is happening in this country.
Thanks for listing the other services that will be lost. Yes, heartbreaking.
It’s hard to read this and not hear echoes from a very dark time in our world’s history.
Oh, yes! And lately I have become obsessed with World War II stories. No surprise.
As far as I can see, they feel that no attention needs to be paid to what Congress or the law needs to approve. They are reading out of a very ominous playbook at the moment. Who would enforce the law against them?
You are so right. Very ominous playbook. What can anyone do to stop him is a big question.
I am relying on you!
Oh, my!
Hoping the nationwide protests tomorrow give more than a few elected officials pause. 🤞🏼
Yes, fingers crossed. Wish I could join in, but t
Shoot! Didn’t finish my message, which should have been, “but my creaky knees won’t allow.”
Same here, my spouse is out there representing us! No way I could stand that long, alas.
Oh, no! Do you have knee troubles or back troubles? I seem to recall that in a comment you mentioned how gardening is becoming more difficult.
Yes, I’ve reached the physical limit, I think. Can’t run at it the way I used to, but I listen to my body and do what I can, then go rest. 🙂
Sigh. I know very well how that is.
❤️
Libraries remain the heart of so many communities, especially rural ones.
Absolutely! Although our library is small, it is a gem and brings so much to our town.
Everything here from Tai Chi to knitting groups, book discussions of course, wildlife walks, films, an heirloom seed library, health resources, fraud protection, etc., etc.
Such a wonderful addition to any town.
Libraries, one of the best things that communities have, are so vulnerable. I hope yours manages to survive and thrive.
Many thanks! I think our library will survive. Its primary funding is through the town. But I am not so sure about interlibrary loan, the lifeblood for many avid readers.
This is such a good personal example, precisely because it is personal and easily relatable. The reality is that there are hundreds if not thousands of such examples, starting with the firing of those folks running your wonderful National Parks, which will now struggle to stay open. But as a previous commenter pointed out, Congress is not pushing its powers or responsibilities. Tariffs aren’t supposed to be put in place without congressional approval either.
You bet! As another blogging friend noted, I am not going to run out of Friday topics anytime soon. Unfortunately.
I was at the library this morning, returned two books, checked one out and arranged for one through inter library loan. I also read a lot of ebooks through Libby and utilize the research data bases including Consumer Reports. The word that keeps popping up in my mind is ‘oligarchy.’ He makes unilateral decisions based upon who or what has no value to him. I’m surprised he hasn’t issued notice to the Senate and House to go home because he doesn’t need them. You sure don’t have to look hard for a Friday topic, as a matter of fact, you probably have a spreadsheet to keep all the topics listed. Sending my library best wishes.
So true. Unfortunately. And I laughed out loud when I read your comment about not having to look too far for a Friday. I had been thinking exactly the same thing and even considered a spread sheet. Or maybe one of those crime boards with pictures connected by string. 😉
All part of the anti intellectualism and dislike of education – just use AI for answers and put tariffs on islands with penguins.
Alas! Tear it all down and leave the people with nothing but empty promises.
Tariffs on islands with penguins … I laughed at that when I read the news this morning. DT’s geographic knowldege isn’t very broad; now I wonder if he reads! Removing support for libraries and all the good that they do is wicked.
You could make the same case for most of DT’s knowledge. How he convinces so many voters otherwise is one of life’s great mysteries.
Could the libraries be flooded with his niece’s book?
Now there’s a thought! Just took a quick online look, and you’ll be pleased to know that her book is available in many Maine libraries.
I do so hope that your library services survive. I know that without mine I would be lost! I have seen the service ‘trimmed’ repeatedly – self service check ins and check outs, libraries in small towns staffed mostly by volunteers, the mobile service reduced from 3 vans to 1 so that now they only stop in my village once every 3 weeks. But at least they keep going!
And long may they keep going!
One wonders how long it will take for the proverbial rats to abandon the ship. In the meanwhile, maybe we try let everyone know what’s’ going on and fundraise?
It can’t happen soon enough!
Once again, I truly have no words. 😦
Right? Sigh.
He’s literally ruining EVERYTHING
Yes. Unfortunately.
because I went to library school in 2006, and graduated from there in 2008 I have many friends in libraries. Many of them are now library directors. They are talking about this, there’s no $ in the budgets to replace these funds. It’s a true crisis. It will effect most those in poorer and rural towns, and those patrons who can’t afford to buy their information. The people doing the cutting have no empathy for those with less wealth. And they don’t care enough to research cause and effect from their rash decisions.
I am sure that for those who have worked at libraries it is especially painful. And, yes, it mostly will harm those in poorer, rural towns—like the one I live in. We have a sweet little library, but it can’t provide any kind of depth in its collection. Sad. I think the people doing the cutting want to deprive folks of books and information. So sad!
That’s what I think too. Keep ’em dumb, keep them isolated. It’s all unbelievable…where do they see the waste in LIBRARIES?!?!?!
Right? Sigh.
As someone who spent pretty much his whole working life in the public library sector I’m dismayed to read this news, The interlibrary loan system is fundamental to the core library principle of universal access to knowledge/information/culture. Although the internet has altered the landscape in recent decades, it is simply not enough.
Heartbreaking for us all, but I’m sure it hits harder for those who have worked in libraries. You put it so well about how the interlibrary loan system is fundamental to the core library principle of universal access. And for someone like me, who lives in a small rural town, interlibrary loan is priceless.
Where are the Andrew Carnegie-type oligarchs when you need them?
They seem to be in short supply.
Things are happening I never thought I would see in my lifetime.
Same! Sigh.
I have always known Trump is bad news, even before he was elected the first time. And it is a LOT worse than I could ever imagine. At the moment he thinks he is God, so he can do whatever he wants.
So much worse this time around. Sigh.
Not sure what I can say that hasn’t already been said here in the comments but I know I will fight tooth and nail for libraries for all the reasons and I will continue to purchase books (new and used) when I can for as long as I can just in case. I can’t own them all but they can’t take what I own (not yet, at least).
Excellent idea about purchasing books. I never thought about it that way, but I love it!
I’ve found myself thinking differently about books over the last decade. Instead of “I’d like to keep this for future reading” it’s now, “This seems important to have on hand in the future” whether for information, historical reference, or diversity of representation and perspectives.
It’s disheartening to imagine losing libraries, but since the orange guy said publicly that he doesn’t read, any value they offer is lost on him. Thank you for serving on the board of your local library, and thank you for writing about their plight here.
You’re most welcome! And even if Trump did read, he has the money and space to buy any book he wants. Either way, libraries are of no importance to him.
I know. It’s all so depressing.
Yes. Sigh.
Through the E-Rate Program and Internet for all Act, the federal government also supports high speed internet for schools and libraries. This is especially important for rural communities. Our libraries are part of our national heritage and need continued support. Thanks for pointing this out.
Thanks, Beth. So sad what is happening.
Your local library is beautiful and I certainly hope our politicians or courts find a way to stop these executive orders. I had no idea that interlibrary loans and so many other things could be eliminated this fast without any regard to the consequences of everything they are doing to our communities and states.
Ah, the Carnegie Libraries . . .
There was a man who knew the value of knowledge and the way to help people.
Of course, being Scottish-made, he would have attracted a 10% tariff these days.
Good luck with it all, time to get Protest-March-Clif into action I think.