MBLC June 6 Update

Dear Colleagues,

I’d like to start this week’s update with an urgent non-IMLS issue that we’re keeping an eye on.

This week, Senator Ed Markey held a listening session to hear how the Trump Administration’s termination of the Digital Equity Act and Republican efforts to block E-Rate (Education Rate) funding for Wi-Fi hotspots are impacting Massachusetts. This funding directly impacts libraries and their ability to connect their users with broadband connectivity, devices including Wi-Fi hotspots, and digital literacy training. Members of the MBLC staff and the greater library community attended with MBLC Commissioner Jessica Vilas Novas and MBLC Head of Library Advisory and Development Rob Favini making statements.

A word about E-Rate: E-rate helps public libraries and schools connect users to the internet, fast. E-rate is a federally funded program offering 20-90% discounts on high-speed broadband, and the equipment and support services that make that connectivity work. In FY2025, 269 Massachusetts public libraries are part of networks that get E-Rate funding in some amount. 

E-Rate is not an IMLS program. It is paid out of the Universal Service Fund overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The fund is supported by the universal service fee that is a small surcharge applied to some types of telecom bills. This funding mechanism frees E-Rate from being dependent on Congressional appropriations and the federal budget process.

E-rate is being challenged by some members of Congress and in the court system. The Supreme Court heard arguments in March, but there is no ruling yet. You can track this on SCOTUSblog tracker.

The future of hotspots is also in question. The Senate voted last month to repeal an FCC rule that makes it possible to lend hotspots using E-rate funds.The House has not voted yet. EveryLibrary has detailed information on this issue. The School, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition also has more information and a state by state tracker that shows current hotspot usage, demonstrating the need for the program to continue.

Back to IMLS and the fallout from Executive Order 14238. Along with our partners at Boston Public Library and the Massachusetts Library System we held three zoom sessions over the last week to talk with hundreds of you about databases and other concerns. We’re working with our partners to get out more information that you can use with staff and patrons ahead of the July 1^st change.

One of the most common questions we heard was, “What if funding is restored?” If it is restored, we would explore options with our partners and the library community to determine which databases and services should be reinstated.

There are significant hurdles to federal funding returning. As I’ve mentioned before, IMLS is eliminated in President Trump’s FY2026 budget. This article in BookRiot gives an excellent summary of the legal issues and the future of IMLS funding.

That doesn’t mean we stop going after the funding we need. It means that every one of us has an important role. To that end, if you have a story about how your library will be impacted by the loss of funding for digital equity initiatives, or any federal funding, Senator Markey wants to hear from you. You can tell your story at https://www.markey.senate.gov/trumpstories.  The MBLC’s Empowered by Libraries will remain active as well: https://www.lovemasslibraries.com/

Thank you again for your messages of support. Please continue to reach out anytime with questions or concerns.