FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2025
Contact: Neil Bhaerman, nbhaerman@oft-aft.org
Trump Administration Brings Attack on Public Institutions to Your Local Public Library
COLUMBUS — Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s plans to eliminate the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent federal agency dedicated to supporting library services through grantmaking, research and policy development:
“Whether it’s providing students with a quiet place to do homework and parents with a safe and enriching place to bring young kids, serving as a community hub for resources on social services, employment, and other needs, or just providing free information and entertainment to all Ohioans, our public libraries deliver real tangible benefits to Ohio communities every day.
The Trump Administration’s plan to dismantle the Institute for Museum and Library Services will cut more than $5 million annually from Ohio libraries and will stop the institute’s research and policy work that supports libraries and public access to information.
According to the American Library Association, funding for libraries of all types is 0.003% of the federal budget, yet it helps support programs and services used by 125,000 public, school, academic and special libraries across the country. Revoking this meager support doesn’t make an impact on the federal deficit, but it does put a financial strain on institutions on which Ohioans rely.
To continue to provide robust public services and resources, libraries need more, not less, support from partners in state and federal government."
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Ohio Federation of Teachers represents librarians and library workers at six Ohio library systems (Worthington Libraries, Grandview Heights Public Library, Pickerington Public Library, Upper Arlington Public Library, Athens County Public Libraries, and Delaware County District Library).