Proposed federal funding cuts will impact San Diego’s Public Libraries
On Friday, March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order intended to drastically reduce funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services.
The IMLS describes its scope of impact as “the largest source of federal funding for libraries in the nation, directing population-based funding to all 50 states. This work enables libraries located in geographically and economically diverse areas to deliver essential services that make it possible for individuals and communities to flourish.” At only $280 million annually, IMLS represents a miniscule fraction of the federal budget. However, libraries leverage that funding for a return in the tens of billions of dollars for services provided to their communities.
Without IMLS funding, the 37-branch San Diego Public Library system will lose a significant tool for maintaining, delivering, and developing innovative services for its patrons. These cuts will have an impact on a wide range of San Diegans — from a parent whose child relies on the Homework Center at their neighborhood library to the entrepreneur learning how to write a business plan at The StartUp center at the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Common. The library is a core public service and a community cornerstone that needs to be safeguarded for our city’s future.
The San Diego Public Library system uses federal funding from IMLS to support several local initiatives. Loss of funding will negatively impact San Diegans who participate in programs every day, including:
- Lunch @ Your Library,
- Adult literacy programs like READ/San Diego,
- Youth training and career development opportunities offered at the City Heights/Weingart Library in partnership with Media Arts,
- Important children and family outreach and
- Entrepreneur and workforce development programs
The Library Foundation SD advocates for the City of San Diego Library Department.
To learn more about this issue, including steps you can take to help libraries, visit the American Library Association’s FAQ page on this Executive Order.
