DPI and WLA IMLS Funding Update

 

IMLS Funding Update   (An update from Ben Miller, Director of Library Services, DPI) Hello again Wisconsin Library Friends! I want to provide you with an update on the status of federal funding for Wisconsin library services through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants to States program administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. On April 23, IMLS awarded the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction partial LSTA 2025 Grants to States funding. The partial award is for $1.6 million, roughly half of what IMLS granted to the DPI in 2024.  In their message, IMLS indicated plans for increasing the amount to a full award “subject to the availability of funds, IMLS discretion, and other actions.” At this time, the DPI has not received a final allotment table indicating the amount of funding Wisconsin will receive. This is not the typical fashion in which these funds are granted to states, but receiving a partial award provides some stability and relief in the short term. At this time, based on the uncertainty surrounding the amount and timing of future LSTA funds, Library Services is not planning to open grant subawards to library systems in Wisconsin in July as is typical. In order to continue to provide Wisconsin libraries state-wide service, the DPI will prioritize the Library Services salaries and the tools necessary to do their jobs with this partial allotment. The team will reassess the viability of providing subawards once more is known about the future of IMLS and LSTA funding. As this situation continues to evolve, I will provide updates to the field when conditions change. Please reach out if you have specific questions or concerns, my virtual door is open to you all. I want to personally thank the library community for sharing your stories, working with elected officials, and remaining steadfast in the incredible services you provide every day. You are the reason we do what we do. Keep being loud and proud about the meaningful work happening in your libraries and communities. Together we can do great things!  Ben Miller (he/him/his) Director of Library Services Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Jeni Schomber Contact: jeni.schomber@dpi.wi.gov

From WLA:

Greetings, WLA Members

 

The Association continues to monitor the impact of the federal Executive Order involving the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in close communication with our state and national partners.  At the same time, we also continue to play a prominent role in advocating for funding for public libraries in the 2025-2027 state biennial budget.  We'd like to share a few updates.

 

• LSTA Grants to States Program - Our colleagues at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) have been keeping us informed about the status of the IMLS Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants to States program.  Last week, the IMLS awarded the DPI partial LSTA 2025 Grants to States funding.   Read more.
  
  
• The Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) has created a webpage with information about IMLS grant cancellations:  IMLS Grant Cancellations
  
  
• Campaign to Reauthorize Funding for FY26 - The ALA has launched a "Dear Appropriator" letter campaign for FY26 federal funding to help ensure funds for the LSTA and IAL (Innovative Approaches to Literacy) programs are appropriated in the 2026 federal budget.  According to the ALA, one way that Congress prioritizes funding for the next fiscal year is by how many bipartisan signatures are on the Dear Appropriator letters for a particular program.  They have requested each state chapter, including WLA, help by reaching out to their US House Delegation to sign these letters.   The House campaign is now underway with WLA's participation, and the Senate campaign will start in a few more weeks. 

 

Resources & Things You Can Do

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

• 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 week will mark the conclusion of 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. 

 

We will continue to share legislative updates as information becomes available. If you have questions, our contact information is below. 

 

 Thank you for your support of Wisconsin's libraries.

Katharine Clark, WLA President (kclark@midlibrary.org)

Peter Loeffel, LD&L Chair (ploeffel@wauwatosalibrary.org)