1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

As a constituent & an avid user of libraries and museums, I'm asking you to protect funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Federal funding helps libraries deliver essential services that make positive impacts in our community. Libraries are the heart of our community, a civic center where people can learn new skills, access books and technology, and connect with each other. As more and more social services have been cut back, libraries have stepped up to provide help to the underserved and in need. In addition to promoting literate, creative, connected communities, libraries foster civically engaged communities. Our museums are just as important - museums foster curiosity and shape our understanding of science, art, and history. They are institutions of learning and culture and centers of experience for visitors. Their curation and care for their collections are also vital for researchers. Their collections have led to breakthroughs in our understanding of biology, ecology, anthropology, and archaeology. It's even been proven that visiting a museum regularly is good for our mental health & well-being (see "Can Museums Help Visitors Thrive? Review of studies on Psychological Wellbeing in Museums" by Marta Šveb Dragija et al.). Don't let the current administration gut a vital part of our social, civic, and intellectual heritage - protect our museums and libraries!