REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Informational Update on Impacts of Federal Funding Changes to Library and Discussion and Possible Action on Support Letter to Local Congressional Representatives
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the nation's only federal agency for American libraries, received a federal executive order on March 14, 2025 to reduce services to the lowest levels required by statutory law. IMLS administers and distributes Congressionally approved funds via federal grants to states, discretionary grants to individual library entities and archives, and funding support for databases and e-resources to support libraries in California and nationwide. The Santa Clara City Library has received inquiries from the Board of Library Trustees seeking to understand how this change will impact services at the Library, and at libraries across the state and country.
DISCUSSION
Nationwide, the reduction of funding for IMLS puts in jeopardy nearly $200 million in grants to states, approximately $15 million of which is earmarked for California. This is anticipated to result in a loss or reduction of library services dependent on this funding across the country, including:
* Early literacy development and grade-level reading programs
* Summer reading programs for kids
* High-speed internet access
* Employment assistance for job seekers
* Braille and talking books for people with visual impairments
* Homework and research resources for students and faculty
The Santa Clara City Library does not receive direct federal funding from grants or from IMLS, and does not expect an interruption of already awarded grants or other funding sources.
However, as these orders take effect, there will be an impact to sources of revenue and discounted services via memberships and partnerships which do support the Library. As a result, it is anticipated that these ...
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