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Library director warns proposed IMLS elimination would reduce resource sharing and cost Davenport about $85,000
Summary
Director Jeff Collins told trustees a potential federal cut to the Institute of Museum and Library Services would undermine statewide resource sharing and that Davenport benefits roughly $85,000 a year from related state programs.
Jeff Collins told trustees the library is monitoring federal action affecting the Institute of Museum and Library Services and that an executive order proposing to eliminate IMLS would have “an impact nationwide and definitely within Iowa.” Collins described IMLS as the primary federal funding source for libraries and explained the money typically flows to the state, which then funds resource sharing, interlibrary loan and continuing education programs.
Collins said Davenport benefits from the combined state programs that flow from IMLS funding to the tune of about $85,000, which covers direct state aid and elements of the Enrich Iowa program. He told trustees that without that funding, “libraries are going to be unable to share as much with other libraries,” and that would reduce cost-effective resource sharing statewide.
Trustees asked how interlibrary loan networks interact with Mobius and other consortia; Collins said Mobius operates separately and that the IMLS change would not directly fund Mobius but could affect wider interstate lending arrangements.
Board members discussed advocacy channels; Collins and trustees noted national and state library associations have templates and guidance for contacting elected representatives about federal and state legislation affecting libraries.
