Executive Order Reducing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

and Its Impact on New Hampshire Library Users

On March 14, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing significant cuts to several federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

IMLS provides $1.5 million each year to New Hampshire libraries which funds essential services, including interlibrary loan systems, digital lending platforms such as Libby, and accessibility resources tailored for patrons with visual impairments.

These services are all in jeopardy for New Hampshire libraries if Congress or the courts do not intervene.

What does this mean for you? 

Without this funding, vital services could be significantly reduced or eliminated, drastically reducing access to materials and crippling the collaboration between New Hampshire libraries. The numbers show how critical these services are to our community. Last year, Wolfeboro Public Library provided 2135 items to our patrons through interlibrary loan and loaned 1470 items to other NH libraries and 15,654 audio and ebooks and digital magazines were downloaded by our patrons using Libby.

How can you help?

Libraries are vital to our community—your voice can help protect these resources!

If you object to the elimination of these funds and the functions of the IMLS that are specifically used to serve you, the public, we urge you to contact your federal legislators today expressing why you value library services.

Find an email link to our legislators as well as other ways to be involved here at the American Libraries Association.

As this situation evolves, we will keep you posted with updates.  

Thank you for your continued support for the Wolfeboro Public Library and all libraries. 

Please contact Library Director Alison Rutley at librarydirector@wolfeboropubliclibrary.org with any questions.