On March 14, 2025, an Executive Order was signed to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)—the federal agency that provides funding support to libraries and museums nationwide. If implemented, this change could impact several important statewide programs that Michigan residents rely on every day.
In Michigan, IMLS funding supports services like the Michigan Electronic Library (MeL) and MeLCat, the statewide interlibrary loan system. These programs expand access to millions of books, materials, and digital resources beyond what any single library can offer.
As a district library, we understand the potential loss of these services would be felt by residents across the state. Programs like MeL and MeLCat ensure that library users—regardless of their location—can access information, educational resources, and materials they might not otherwise be able to find locally.
The Library Network (TLN) is monitoring the situation closely. TLN Executive Director Steven K. Bowers shared: “IMLS provides critical funding to libraries throughout the nation. We will be watching very closely as we expect this to be challenged in court, but we’ll continue to fight to help libraries navigate this change in federal support.”
For more information, you can read The Library Network Response to the Executive Order. You can also read a current article on IMLS and the Executive Order by The Detroit Free Press and The Michigan Public (NPR).