The president’s first pass at a budget eliminates the IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) entirely. This federal department coordinates and distributes grant monies to state libraries (including the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners –MBLC) for local distribution in the form of LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grants.
These LSTA grants have helped to fund library STEM programming, early childhood literacy programming, young adult programming, reader’s advisory, and staff training programs, among others.
Contact your Congresswoman, Niki Tsongas to tell her how important your library is to you. As State Sentator Harriette Chandler said during our Legislative Breakfast, “The squeaky wheels get heard.” So squeak!