Shake up at IMLS
There’s a lot going on right now, and it can be a little overwhelming. I’ll start with what we know.
- The Executive Order states that IMLS must be reduced to its “statutory functions.” It also requires that “non-statutory components and functions …shall be eliminated to the maximum extent…”.
- Keith Sonderling has been sworn in as acting director of IMLS, a Trump appointee. Acting Director Sonderling said, “I am committed to steering this organization in lockstep with this Administration to enhance efficiency and foster innovation. We will revitalize IMLS and restore focus on patriotism, ensuring we preserve our country’s core values, promote American exceptionalism, and cultivate love of country in future generations,”
- System Directors are working with the statewide Marketing Cohort and our state legislative team to develop language and advocacy tools to respond.
- In Wisconsin, library operational funds don’t come from IMLS. Some very popular services, like Interlibrary Loan, are made possible with IMLS funding.
Here are some ways that libraries are responding.
- The California Library Association has created an Infographic for federal advocacy, including support for LSTA and E-Rate. CLA has also created a template in PowerPoint so that others may use it to develop their own Infographic for their advocacy.
- EveryLibrary created an advocacy campaign.
What to do now.
- Understand what political activities you and your friends group can engage in. As a nonprofit, you and your Friends Group can’t engage in partisan political activity of any kind. Libraries can educate and inform the public, but they cannot tell people how to vote.
- Also keep in mind that we’re in a budget cycle at the state level, and we want to preserve those political relationships.
- When you provide ILL items, add a big tag that says, “Are you enjoying this book? Thank IMLS, who makes this service possible.”
- Talk to your friends and social circles, call your elected officials.
- We’ll have more action steps coming soon.
- Keep being the awesome public spaces that you are!
CCBC choices available now
Every year the Cooperative Children’s Book Center librarians sift through most of the books published in the United States for children and teens and select their top picks to go into CCBC Choices. The 2025 list of 251 books, along with an annotation, is now available. You can find the CCBC Choices 2025 publication, and you can also ue CCBC Recommended Book Search to look up titles. There are three opportunities coming up soon to hear more about the titles in CCBC Choices 2025:
- Webinar, Wednesday March 19, 9-10 am sponsored by the South Central Library System Register
- In-person session (with book browsing), Thursday March 27, 9:30-2:30 at the Brewer Public Library in Richland Center, hosted by Southwest Library System and Winding Rivers Library System Register
- In-person session (with book browsing), Tuesday April 8, 10:00-2:30 at the Minocqua Public Library, hosted by the Wisconsin Valley Library Service (WVLS) Register
Apply for a Scholarship to Attend the WAPL Conference!
The Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries Conference is coming up in Oshkosh April 30-May 2. IFLS is offering full and partial scholarships to public library workers in IFLS-land to attend! The scholarship covers registration (which includes some meals), two nights in the conference hotel, and mileage. Apply for the WAPL Scholarship by March 23! Questions? Contact Leah.
Correction to The News
Krister’s last name is spelled Paakkonen. Sorry for the misspelling.
Calendar Spotlight: Acquisitions Idea Swap
Join MORE colleagues for an Acquisitions Idea Swap, April 23, 1:00pm-3:00pm. The hybrid event will be held in person at the Hazel Mackin Community Library in Roberts and virtually via Zoom. Whether you’re a current user of Sierra’s Acquisitions functions or are interested in learning more, this event is designed to help you streamline your ordering process. We’ll share ideas, tips, and tricks to make acquisitions easier and more efficient.
NOTE: If you need accommodations to participate in this workshop (for instance: a chair with or without arms; CART captioning; visual aids) please email Jackee Johnson (johnson@ifls.lib.wi.us) by April 9 to ensure we can make necessary arrangements.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and improve your acquisitions process! Register here.