Why should we in libraries get active behind fighting to save the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)?
YSS past chair Leah Langby wrote a beautiful post in the Indianhead Federated Library System youth library blog, Keeping Up with Kids, in which she lists the MANY things that Wisconsin Librarians have benefited from including Growing WI Readers, support for media mentorship; the Coding Initiative, system grants to help youth services, creating this youth leadership institute that benefits youth library staff throughout the state and much more.
Please take a moment to read that post and think about the grants and initiatives that have helped you as a youth librarian - and your communities - in Wisconsin because of this federal money.
Then, get active. Our WLA representative to ALA Sherry Machones, shares this information from ALA on what we all can do RIGHT now to support continued funding for libraries and museums through the IMLS:
ALA Call to Action - Save the IMLS
There are several actions we can take right now:
Call your Members of Congress - ask them to publicly oppose wiping out IMLS, and ask them to commit to fighting for federal library funding. (You can find their contact information here.)
Share your library's IMLS story using the #SaveIMLS tag - tell us how IMLS funding supports your local community. If you aren't sure which IMLS grants your library as received, you can check the searchable database available on the IMLS website.
Sign up to receive ALA action alerts - ALA will let you know when and how to take action, and send you talking points and background information.
Register to participate in National Library Legislative Day on May 1-2, either in Washington, D.C., or online.
Timing is key to the Federal budget/appropriations process. More information - along with talking points and scripts - will be forthcoming from the ALA Washington Office, particularly as it pertains to the upcoming advocacy campaign around "Dear Appropriator" letters.
The president's budget has made clear that his funding agenda is not ours. It's time for library professionals and supporters to make our priorities clear to Congress.
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