For your information:
A recent Executive Order signed by President Trump calls for the defunding and potentially eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS is the federal agency that distributes congressionally approved funds to state libraries. In NH, the funds pay for our state-wide Inter Library Loan (ILL) system, Talking Books for the Blind, and the downloadable eBooks/audiobooks platform, Libby.
Local Impact:
In 2024, Chesterfield residents borrowed 791 ILL materials from other libraries and we lent out 587. This resource is critical for small libraries and communities. Chesterfield patrons also downloaded 7,678 items from Libby.
What can you do?
Those who object to these cuts can contact their federal delegation and sign a petition to urge our elected officials to support and protect IMLS in its funding of state libraries.