Director Briefing - April 7, 2025

IMLS Update

In March 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling for the dissolution of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), directing the agency to be dismantled as far as the law allows. As a result, the agency is now facing major operational changes.

Beginning March 31, around 75 IMLS staff members were placed on paid administrative leave for a period of up to 90 days. Staff were instructed to turn in their government-issued equipment and identification, and access to email and agency facilities was revoked without prior approval protocols in place.

Keith E. Sonderling, the Deputy Secretary of Labor, was appointed as Acting Director of IMLS on March 20. He is now overseeing the agency’s compliance with the executive directive.

IMLS typically awards approximately $160 million annually to libraries and museums across the country. With the current downsizing and uncertainty surrounding the agency's future, the continuity of this funding remains in question. The American Library Association and other organizations have raised concerns about the potential consequences of eliminating IMLS, especially given the vital services supported by these grants.

This action is part of a broader federal effort to scale back or eliminate agencies deemed non-essential. At this time, the future of IMLS is unclear and will depend on forthcoming decisions by the administration, Congress, and potentially the courts.

While these cuts will hopefully have minimal impact on member libraries, it is concerning that the Federal Government and members of Congress are against this funding.

Please feel free to write letters of support for IMLS funding to your legislators. If the press contacts you or has any questions, please feel free to let me know. I am happy to provide resources to help answer any questions.

Recent Coorospondance Updates:

• 2025.03.31 Reponse and Letter to Claudia Tenney.pdf
• IMLS letter_4.2 (1).pdf
• NY Delegation IMLS Letter.pdf

Budget Kit Info 2025

Kelly reached out last week for the information we need to complete the 2025 Budget Kit. The budget kit is produced annually to assist in your library's planning by offering comparisons between libraries on financials, local tax support, holdings & circulation, personnel, and more.

Please complete the below information for your county with updated 2025 details and send it to Kelly via email by Wednesday, April 30. If you must send a hard copy, you are welcome to send it through delivery.

Ontario County Library Survey 2025.pdf

Wayne County Library Survey 2025.pdf

Wyoming County Library Survey 2025.pdf

Livingston County Library Survey 2025.pdf

Appropriate Mailing List Usage

As a reminder, per our Email Account and Use Policy , all communications sent through distribution lists such as the OWWL Mailing List or All Circulation Desk Accounts list must:

• Be sent using an authorized OWWL Library System email address;
• Be relevant to the selected distribution list;
• Use respectful, professional, and courteous language; and
• Adhere to all privacy laws and System policies.

Be sure to share this information with your staff. Let me know if you have any questions on this.

2025 FAQs with Ron Part I | Thursday, April 10, at 5 PM

This Thursday at 5 PM, there will be an online Trustee Education workshop addressing some of the major questions that have come up this year so far. Register here .

The recording will be posted to the Trustee Academy following the workshop.

Reruns

Grant Opportunity: Harold Hacker Fund for the Advancement of Libraries

There is a grant available through the Friends & Foundation of the Rochester Public Library (FFRPL). The application is now open, and all applications are due May 2, 2025.

Funding will be available for projects that meet the following areas:

• To further education and professional development for librarians and library staff throughout the five-county region served by Rochester Regional Library Council.
• To further innovative library projects and programs at RRLC member libraries and the Monroe County Library and OWWL Library Systems and their member libraries.

For more information, visit: https://rrlc.org/services/grant-opportunities/harold-hacker-fund-for-advancement-of-libraries/