Rhode Island Delegation and local librarians highlight importance of public libraries amidst Trump Administration attacks

“When we rally for libraries, we rally for the heart of our communities - our libraries, our museums, our educators, and our future."

“The president has launched an assault on libraries and the free access to information. His administration has called book bans a hoax, yet they have removed hundreds of books from military academy libraries,” said Ed Garcia, Director of Cranston Public Library. “As many of you are aware, in March, a presidential executive order was issued to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The resulting actions led to the cancellation of grant funding for libraries nationwide, placed the IMLS staff on administrative leave, and attempted to dismantle the agency. Our congressional delegation, along with other bipartisan leaders, has actively opposed efforts to eliminate the IMLS. Our Attorney General Peter Neronha, who co-led a lawsuit with 20 other state attorneys general and filed it in the Federal Court of Rhode Island.”

Garcia was emceeing a press conference at the Cranston Public Library on Sockanosset Cross Rd with United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo. The federal delegation partnered with state librarians and advocates to underscore the vital role libraries play in their state’s communities and to advocate for robust federal support for the nation’s public libraries.

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In Rhode Island, IMLS cuts proposed by the Trump Administration would eliminate roughly 45 percent of the Office of Library and Information Services’ (OLIS) budget. OLIS is Rhode Island’s state library agency and provides support and services to libraries across the state.

“The Trump Administration’s attacks on public libraries and IMLS are an attack on learning, knowledge, and opportunity,” said Senator Reed. “Public libraries are among the best institutions we have, providing central gathering places where all community members are welcome to access an entire world of information. I’m proud that Rhode Island is helping to lead the push against President Trump’s misguided IMLS cuts. And I will continue to fight to ensure our libraries have the funding, resources, and support they need to serve our communities.”

In March, President Trump issued an executive order that called for the closing of several government agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Following the order, all IMLS staff were placed on leave, and some states began to see their previously awarded federal IMLS grants being rescinded.

“Public libraries enrich lives and make communities stronger,” said Senator Whitehouse. “As the Trump administration makes chaotic cuts to public libraries, I will do everything in my power to protect federal programs and resources that so many Rhode Islanders rely on.”

While President Trump’s order has been challenged in federal court, the Administration has continued to target support for public libraries in a proposed budget that would eliminate funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

“Public libraries in Rhode Island are essential for people of all ages, as a source of education and community building,” said Representative Magaziner. “President Trump’s plan to cut funding for Rhode Island libraries and museums to pay for tax breaks for billionaires is cruel and shortsighted, and we are determined to fight back.”

For the current year, Congress has provided more than $294 million to IMLS to support grants and research funding, including about $1.4 million for Rhode Island’s Office of Library & Information Services (OLIS) alone. Additionally, several Rhode Island institutions had their previously approved grants from the IMLS rescinded, but they recently received notification that their grants would be restored due to a court order.

“From my first-hand experiences at the Pawtucket Public Library in my youth, I truly believe that public libraries are an invaluable resource for Rhode Islanders to achieve so many goals,” said Representative Amo. “Whether using their local library’s internet to search for a job or checking out a book to learn a new skill, the least resourced Rhode Islanders will be hit hardest by Trump’s attacks on libraries and museums. Funding and resources for museums and libraries help communities thrive, and I will fight in Congress every day to make sure these vital community hubs have the funding they need to succeed.”

In most cases, public libraries receive the majority of their funding from state and local budgets. IMLS provides critical federal grants to state library agencies, helping to strengthen libraries and enhance services for patrons, including workforce development training, interlibrary loans, e-book and audiobook lending, and more.

“Every city and town in Rhode Island has a public library, and they work together as a seamless network to provide services and programs for children, students, job seekers, adult learners, senior citizens, and anyone in between,” said Karen Mellor, Rhode Island’s Chief of Library Services. “We are extremely grateful to our congressional delegation for their ongoing efforts to preserve the federal funding that enables our agency to provide and support critical services for Rhode Islanders at libraries across the state.”

“When we rally for libraries, we rally for the heart of our communities - our libraries, our museums, our educators, and our future. Our entire congressional delegation understands what is at stake, and we are proud to stand with them to ensure these vital institutions are not only protected but empowered to thrive,” said Ed Garcia. “Elimination of IMLS funding would be devastating to Rhode Island libraries and the communities we serve, putting important programs and services our patrons rely on at risk.”