Update on Federal and State Funding for WI's Public Libraries

 

From the Wisconsin Library Association 4/9/25

As we celebrate National Library Week, the [Wisconsin Library] Association continues to monitor the impact of the federal Executive Order involving the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  At the same time, we continue to play a prominent role in advocating for funding for public libraries in the 2025-2027 state biennial budget.  We’d like to provide you with a few updates.

 

IMLS Executive Order 

WLA remains in close communication with our partners at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), leaders within the 15 public library systems around the state, other state library associations, and the American Library Association (ALA).  

 

Last week, the ALA reported that California, Connecticut and Washington state received written notification from IMLS that their grants were cancelled.  Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced Wisconsin would join a coalition of 20 states suing over threatening cuts to IMLS, and additional statements were issued by Governor Evers and State Superintendent Jill Underly.  

 

Here's a recent update shared by our colleagues at DPI:

Happy National Library Workers Day & Update on IMLS/Federal Funding

 

Resources & Things You Can Do

While we still are not sure what all of this may mean for federal funding for libraries nationally or in Wisconsin, here are some resources and suggestions for things you can do: 

• New!  The public library systems and their marketing staff have collaborated on a website to share resources.  Speak Up For Wisconsin Libraries 
• DPI Infographic - LSTA Funding:  Where the Money Goes

• Video Testimonials - The DPI is looking to humanize the impact of federal funding on our public libraries by compiling and sharing short video "testimonials.” Click here for more information. 

• Email your library stories to your federal elected officials. Click here for more information and links to online congressional office portals to share your unique, personalized messages.  

• DPI webpage - Tracking Federal Funding: The Effect on Wisconsin
  
  

State Biennial Budget Process 2025-2027

Given the uncertainty surrounding federal funding, our work to support state funding for public libraries is perhaps more important now than ever before. WLA is advocating for several items in the proposed 2025-2027 state budget. For more background on the 2025-2027 biennial budget process, please click here.

• In January, the WLA Library Development Legislation (LD&L) Committee budget team met with legislative leaders and each member of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC), the committee that reviews all state appropriations and revenues. 

• In February, a record number of attendees at the WLA Library Legislative Day shared stories and reinforced the importance of our state budget priorities. 

This month, we are recruiting participants for the four public budget hearings with the JFC taking place around the state. A big thank you to those WLA volunteers who have shared compelling testimonials and, by virtue of sheer numbers, visually demonstrated strong support for public libraries.  Links to event photos and videos of testimonies are here. 

 

There’s still time to join us! All WLA members are invited to attend these public hearings.  Literally standing in a group behind your colleagues who speak earns them 5 minutes of testimony time (as opposed to only 2 minutes allotted for testimony by a person standing alone). Please get in touch with the site captains if you are available to attend one or more of the following hearings.  

 

Monday, APRIL 28 – Hayward

Hayward High School Auditorium

10320 Greenwood Lane Hayward, WI 54843

WLA Site Captains: Katherine Elchert kelchert@northernwaters.org and John Thompson thompson@ifls.lib.wi.us.

 

Tuesday, APRIL 29 – Wausau

Northcentral Technical College

Center for Health Sciences – map/parking

1000 W. Campus Dr. Wausau, WI 54401

WLA Site Captains: Kris Adams Wendt  kawendt@wvls.org and Marla Sepnafski msepnafs@wvls.org.

 

We will continue to share legislative updates as information becomes available. If you have questions, please contact WLA Executive Director Laura Sauser at sauser@wisconsinlibraries.org. 

 

Thank you for your support of Wisconsin's libraries.

Katharine Clark, WLA President

Peter Loeffel, LD&L Chair