1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

am writing to you to express my concerns about the executive order released on March 14, 2025. While IMLS funds provide countless public services to our state, I am particularly concerned about the effect this order will have on the Michigan e-Library (MeL). IMLS provides funds through the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018, including the Library Services & Technology subchapter (LSTA) to the states. These LSTA funds are so beneficial to the people of Michigan. As both a library employee and a college student, I have seen the benefits of this funding first-hand. This database, which is available to every person in Michigan with internet, contains hundreds of thousands of articles, images, e-books, historical documents and other full-text materials. MeL also does inter-library loans throughout the state, which makes materials widely available to all Michigan residents. It currently loans well over a million items a year. If you live in Marquette, and you need a book that’s only available in Detroit, you can get that item thanks to MeL. I would say at least half of my library patrons regularly utilize this service. The Michigan e-library also contributes to workforce development and training. It offers occupational, licensing and academic practice tests for students and post-school job seekers. MeL also uses funds to connect with and train public library staff, and to create content for self-directed leaning in able to further promote these resources. I am well-versed in this system thanks to these opportunities, and that’s why I know how many benefits Michigan voters are at risk of losing. Again, these resources are available to all Michigan residents at no direct cost to them whenever they have internet access. Last year MeL received $1,871,578.86 in IMLS funds. With this recent executive order, those funds are cut. I implore you to do anything in your power to not let that happen.