1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to you to express my concerns about the executive order released on March 14, 2025. The order states: “This order continues the reduction in the elements of the Federal bureaucracy that the President has determined are unnecessary…The non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental entities shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, and such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law: (iv) the Institute of Museum and Library Services.” 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is available to every person in Michigan with internet, contains hundreds of thousands of articles, images, e-books, historical documents and other full-text materials. This is my go-to service for finding sources for college papers. 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 have personally attended these trainings, and can confidently vouch that they are effective and helpful. 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.