Andrina Morales, mobile service coordinator for the Simi Valley Public Library’s mobile library, gets ready for the van's ribbon cutting on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
California – Libraries across California are facing significant challenges after the Trump administration’s latest push to slash federal spending has targeted vital programs supporting libraries and museums. The California State Library, which aids local libraries and oversees its own collection, announced this week that a critical federal grant, worth $3 million, has been unexpectedly terminated, leaving many important services in jeopardy.
The California State Library revealed that it had yet to receive over 20% of a $15.7-million grant awarded under the Library Services and Technology Act for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. These funds were allocated to support various programs in California’s libraries, including early literacy initiatives, storytimes for low-income families, summer reading programs, and workforce-readiness training for at-risk youth. Additionally, the funds were also earmarked for helping students earn online high school diplomas, an essential program for many in underserved communities.
“We are deeply disappointed by this ill-informed decision, which immediately affects critical programs supported by these funds,” said Rebecca Wendt, California’s deputy state librarian. “The California State Library remains committed to serving all of the people of California and will explore alternative means to ensure continued access to essential library services.”
The abrupt stop of these funds comes amid significant upheaval at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the independent federal agency that supplies the bulk of federal funding for libraries across the United States. The agency, which has faced significant staff reductions in recent weeks, had already seen a substantial portion of its personnel placed on administrative leave. This action follows President Trump’s executive order aimed at cutting down the federal bureaucracy, which called for the elimination of several key functions, including those of the IMLS.
The American Library Association (ALA) voiced strong concerns over these cuts, calling the staff reductions at the IMLS “extremely shortsighted and perilous” for the millions of Americans who rely on public, school, academic, and special libraries. The ALA pointed out that library funding makes up less than 0.003% of the annual federal budget, yet has an outsized impact on communities across the country. From offering technology classes to jobseekers to providing services for people with disabilities, libraries play a pivotal role in serving diverse populations.
“IMLS funding makes a real, concrete difference in the lives of Americans every day,” the ALA said in a statement, stressing the need for continued support for programs that touch millions of lives.
As the California State Library and libraries nationwide face an uncertain future, the fight for continued access to essential public services has never been more urgent.
