1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am furious about the proposed cuts to the **Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)**. These cuts would devastate Michigan’s libraries and museums, which are lifelines for education, workforce development, and community building. If you support these cuts, you will lose my vote—and the votes of countless others who rely on these vital institutions. Here in **West Michigan**, IMLS funding directly supports: - The **Grand Rapids Public Museum**, which uses IMLS grants to preserve local history and create educational exhibits. - The **Grand Rapids Public Library**, which relies on IMLS funding for digital literacy programs, technology access, and early literacy initiatives. - The **Kalamazoo Public Library**, which has implemented STEM education and community outreach programs with IMLS support. But it’s not just the big institutions that will suffer. Smaller programs across our region also depend on IMLS funding, including: - The **Wyoming Branch Library** in Kent County, which uses IMLS grants to provide job training workshops and resources for low-income families. - The **Hackley Public Library** in Muskegon, which has expanded its summer reading program and digital access for seniors thanks to IMLS support. - The **Loutit District Library** in Ottawa County, which relies on IMLS funding for its early childhood literacy programs and community maker spaces. In **Allegan County**, IMLS funding has been critical for: - The **Allegan District Library**, which uses IMLS grants to offer technology training, summer reading programs, and resources for rural communities. - The **Allegan County Historical Society and Old Jail Museum**, which relies on IMLS support to preserve local history and provide educational programs for schools and families. These programs are not optional—they are essential. They bridge the digital divide, preserve our cultural heritage, and provide critical resources for underserved communities. Cutting IMLS funding would harm Michigan’s most vulnerable residents and undermine the institutions that make our state stronger. I demand that you publicly oppose any cuts to the IMLS and fight to protect its funding. If you fail to do so, I will not only vote against you in the next election, but I will also actively campaign to ensure others in our community know you turned your back on our libraries, museums, and the people who depend on them. The choice is yours: stand with Michigan’s communities or face the consequences at the ballot box.