IMLS – MBLC Blog

MBLC Update – November 26, 2025

Dear Colleagues:

Today we received more good news about the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The Rhode Island v. Trump First Circuit argument scheduled for Dec 4 in Boston will not be going forward. In light of the district court’s granting of summary judgment and a permanent injunction to the states, the federal government filed an assented-to motion to dismiss the appeal as moot, which the court granted yesterday.

As a refresher, last Friday, November 21, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell ruled in favor of 21 state attorneys general, including Massachusetts, determining that Executive Order 14238, which sought to dismantle IMLS, exceeded presidential authority and violated laws governing agencies established by Congress.

The court ruling permanently blocks Executive Order 14238 and ensures that IMLS can continue delivering critical support and funding for libraries nationwide and prohibits any further attempts to dismantle the agency.

If the Trump administration appeals the permanent injunction, we will keep you informed. For now, this is great news for IMLS!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Maureen Amyot

MBLC Update – November 24, 2025

Dear Colleagues:

The library community across Massachusetts is applauding a major federal court ruling that permanently blocks Executive Order 14238, which sought to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the nation’s only federal agency dedicated to supporting libraries and museums.

On November 21, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell ruled in favor of 21 state attorneys general, including Massachusetts, determining that the order exceeded presidential authority and violated laws governing agencies established by Congress. The ruling ensures that IMLS can continue delivering critical support and funding for libraries nationwide and prohibits any further attempts to dismantle the agency.

The uncertainty of the past few months highlighted how essential IMLS is to equitable library service. Disruptions such as interlibrary loan shutdowns in South Dakota and Florida, cuts to statewide databases here in Massachusetts, and staff layoffs at the Maine State Library are just a few examples of how the absence of IMLS funding impacted the entire nation.

Upcoming First Circuit Court of Appeals Hearing in Boston

Oral arguments have been scheduled at John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in the Trump administration’s appeal of the preliminary injunction that was issued in Rhode Island v. Trump. The hearing is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. and details can be found on the court’s calendar. Members of the public may listen to the live audio of oral argument or may attend oral arguments in-person; more information on attending is available at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit website.

FY2026 Funding
While the ruling protects IMLS from elimination, FY2026 funding levels are still being finalized. The agency is currently funded at FY2025 levels under a Continuing Resolution through January, and both the House and Senate have restored IMLS funding in their budget revisions. The proposed $291.8 million allocation includes a modest cut overall but a slight increase to the Grants to States program, which supports services here in Massachusetts.

For more detailed information on the lawsuit and the next steps in supporting IMLS, visit: https://bookriot.com/21-attorney-generals-lawsuit-decision/

Please continue to reach out with questions or concerns anytime.

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

MBLC Update – September 3, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

I’d like to share some remarkable news regarding the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). First, after more than five months with little to no communication from the IMLS, in July funding reimbursements from IMLS began again with regularity. This may be because the end of the federal fiscal year is September 30,^,2025 and despite the efforts to defund IMLS as outlined in Executive Order 14238 this funding was previously approved by Congress for museums and libraries across the country. There are also several pending lawsuits regarding this action.

Right now, because we don’t know if IMLS will be funded for FY2026, the MBLC is treating reimbursements from IMLS as one-time funding. We’re mindful that we don’t want to add back databases or any service that depending on the outcome of the FY2026 federal budget, may have to be cut again.

However, last evening the FY2026 budget took a huge step in the right direction for IMLS. The House Appropriations released its version of the FY 2026 budget bill that includes $291.8 million for IMLS. In its version the Senate included $295 million for IMLS funding. This is a $3 million reduction from the previous year but it’s a major turnaround from the President’s budget which included $6 million to shutter the agency.

We still have a ways to go. The marked-up version of the bill goes to the full House next Tuesday and then we await the reconciliation of the House and Senate budgets. But this is promising news and we’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

Thank you to everyone who to the time over the past few months to contact Congress. It has made a difference.

Press Release: https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/committee-releases-fy26-labor-health-and-human-services-education-and-related

Bill summary: https://appropriations.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-appropriations.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/fy26-labor-health-and-human-services-education-and-related-agencies-subcommittee-summary.pdf

Bill summary (Democrat version): https://democrats-appropriations.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-appropriations.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/labor-health-and-human-services-education-and-related-agencies-summary.pdf

Full bill: https://appropriations.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-appropriations.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/fy26-labor-health-and-human-services-education-and-related-agencies-subcommittee-mark.pdf

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Data Collections through Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

Contact: MBLC State Aid Specialist Jen Inglis, MBLC Head of State Programs Cate Merlin

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) works with State Data Coordinators in all 50 states and U.S. territories to collect information about libraries.

In Massachusetts, we collect the data we report to IMLS through the Annual Report of Information Statistics (ARIS).

IMLS also works with an independent data research company to ensure overall data accuracy, reliability, and consistency. The changes we are implementing now are a result of research that began four years ago.

They are completely unrelated to the Trump Administration.

Here’s how the IMLS data collection system works. Research about the data is conducted by an independent research company. Results and recommendations are brought forward to State Data Coordinators and Chief Officers of State Library Associations who then vote on any potential changes. Questions being added and/or removed every year is standard practice.

The changes below were voted on in 2023.

The MBLC made the decision to make the changes in phases to allow for a smooth transition, training, and full implementation.

Below is detail of what was added and what was removed for IMLS reporting for FY2026.

Holdings Questions Removed
E-Holdings:
H5	E-books: Adult
H6	Downloadable audio: Adult
H7	Downloadable video: Adult
H16	E-books: Young Adult
H17	Downloadable audio: Young Adult
H18	Downloadable video: Young Adult
H27	E-books: Children’s
H28	Downloadable audio: Children’s
H29	Downloadable video: Children’s
Subscriptions:
H48	Electronic serial subscriptions
H49	Local research database & online learning platform subscription
Number of databases:
H100	Network databases & online learning platforms
H101	Local databases & online learning platforms
H102	State databases & online learning platforms
Circulation Questions Removed
Usage of databases & online learning platforms:
C35		Usage of local databases & online learning platforms
C35		Usage of network databases & online learning platforms
C36		Usage of state-wide databases & online learning platforms
Circulation Questions Added
new C34		E-serials circulation: Adult
new C35		E-serials circulation: Young Adult
		E-serials circulation: Children’s

It is important to note that there are local databases that libraries purchase for use by their own local patrons and there are statewide databases that the MBLC and Massachusetts Library System (MLS) purchase for use by any person who lives, works or studies in Massachusetts. LOCAL database stats will no longer be collected. The MBLC will still collect data on statewide database usage that references the current and historical data collection hosted on the MLS website (https://guides.masslibsystem.org/databases/statistics)

IMLS as an agency has been affected by the Trump Administration. On March 14, 2025 President Trump signed Executive Order 14238 which eliminates the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” IMLS is the single largest source of critical federal funding for libraries. The MBLC receives $3.6 million from IMLS.

Due to the federal uncertainty caused by this executive order, the MBLC made several rounds of cuts unrelated to data collection:
April cuts
May cuts

Regardless of the fate of the IMLS, the MBLC will continue its annual data collection via the Annual Report of Information Statistics (ARIS) and Financial Report surveys. Completion of these surveys remains a requirement for the State Aid to Public Libraries program, and statewide data collection will become even more critical to Massachusetts libraries if national data collection ceases.

A note: For IMLS data, these are the questions added/removed last year—based on the 2023 vote.

Changes to the FY25 ARIS Questions
Auto Renewals Added
AU1	Did your library offer automatic renewal for any physical materials during the reporting period?
Electronic Holdings/Materials Questions Added
Electronic Books:
EH1		Did the library provide access to e-books purchased solely by the library?
EH2		Did the library provide access to ebooks purchased via a consortium/network?
EH3		Did the library provide access to e-books provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to the administrative entity?
Electronic Serials
EH4		Did the library provide access to e-serials purchased solely by the library?
EH5		Did the library provide access to e-serials purchased via a consortium/network?
EH6		Did the library provide access to e-serials provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no minimum cost to the administrative entity?
Electronic Audio:
EH7		Did the library provide access to e-audio purchased solely by the library?
EH8		Did the library provide access to e-audio purchased via a consortium/network?
EH9		Did the library provide access to e-audio provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to the administrative entity?
Electronic Video:
EH10		Did the library provide access to e-video purchased solely by the library?
EH11		Did the library provide access to e-video purchased via a consortium/network?
EH12		Did the library provide access to e-video provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to the administrative entity?
Research Databases:
EH13		Did the library provide access to research databases purchased solely by the library?
EH14		Did the library provide access to research databases purchased via a consortium/network?
EH15		Did the library provide access to research databases provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to the administrative entity?
Online Learning Platforms:
EH16		Did the library provide access to online learning platforms purchased solely by the library?
EH17		Did the library provide access to online learning platforms purchased via a consortium/network?
EH18		Did the library provide access to online learning platforms provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to the administrative entity?

In the ARIS, the MBLC does include questions that are not for IMLS. They are based on local interest and need.

MBLC Update – July 18

Dear Colleagues:

We’re taking every opportunity to keep the federal IMLS issue (especially databases) at the forefront for legislators—your help with that is making a difference and is greatly appreciated.

This week I testified at the State House at an invitation only hearing before the House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability. It was an opportunity for libraries and others from the cultural sector to talk about the effect of federal policy changes and funding cuts on our organizations. I was joined by Boston Public Library President David Leonard and American Library Association President-Elect and Cambridge Public Library Director Maria McCauley. We worked together to give legislators the full impact of the federal crisis on libraries and library users in Massachusetts. Thank you, Maria and David, for your support and for your leadership. You can view our testimonies here: https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5276

The hearing continues to get some great media coverage. Our testimonies were the lead story in State House News and more coverage is below:
NBC Boston
MassCreative
22News WWLP

More on Funding
As I mentioned last week, the MBLC continues to submit reimbursements to IMLS to try to get the federal funding that was approved (and then stopped) for FY2025—on the federal timeline, FY2025 ends on September 30^th (unlike the state timeline in which FY2025 ended on July 30). We were able to use one small reimbursement to restore statewide membership to United for Libraries. Al Hayden just sent out notice that people can register for the upcoming virtual conference.

This is not an indicator that our FY2025 IMLS funding will be restored by September 30, nor does it mean that IMLS will be funded for FY2026. Like many state organizations that rely on federal funding (as we heard from many of our colleagues at this week’s hearing), we’re proceeding with extreme caution as we grapple with service cuts now and brace for potential further fallout from the recently passed federal budget and continued uncertainty about the future of IMLS.

Please continue to reach out with any questions you have. We appreciate your support.

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

MBLC Update – July 11

Dear Colleagues:

It’s been a busy few weeks with both the state and federal budgets passed. I’ve included some key takeaways and actions needed below.

Now is the time for IMLS funding
Funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will be decided in the next few weeks. It is critical to contact legislators now.

In the federal budget framework that was just passed, IMLS is funded at $6 million to essentially close down the agency. BUT that is not a done deal. While IMLS is part of the federal budget, Congress, not the President, determines how much funding IMLS will get.

The House Appropriations Committee is currently reviewing and marking up the budget. The subcommittee overseeing funding for IMLS is scheduled for Monday, July 21. Members of this committee can be contacted.
This article on BookRiot has valuable information about who to contact and what information to include.

The federal budget impacts the state budget.
Governor Healey signed the state budget last week. State legislators and officials are determining how federal budget cuts will impact the state. But the Governor has already been proactive. According to the Healey and Driscoll Administration, “Governor Healey is vetoing $130 million, resulting in a final budget that is more than $1 billion less than the H1 proposal and $130 million less than the final conference budget. The administration is also continuing an Executive Branch hiring freeze, halting a planned non-union manager pay raise scheduled for January, saving $17 million, and delaying payment on earmarked funds for local projects in the budget totaling approximately $125 million until later in the year when more is understood about their affordability.”

The state budget level funds all but two Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) budget lines—in this climate that is good news. However, it is tempered with a $21,341 cut to the Board of Library Commissioners Support and Outreach Services line (7000-9101). For FY2026, the MBLC requested an increase of $414,854 to this line. Given the federal uncertainty, this funding is even more critical for agency staff and operations and was funded below FY2025 levels at $2,052,927.

What is the status of IMLS?
In addition to funding hurdle, the reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) of 2018 needs to happen by September 30. This is done by Congresson a six-year cycle. The 2018 MLSA authorizes spending levels through October 1, 2025. It is critical to contact legislators about reauthorization.

The MBLC has had very limited contact with IMLS since much of the agency’s workforce was placed on leave. Last week the Supreme Court’s ruling on mass firings at federal agencies seems to support the Trump Administration’s reduction in workforce efforts. It’s unclear whether IMLS staff will be brought back while Massachusetts and other states pursue legal avenues.

As I’ve mentioned in previous updates, the way the IMLS funding works in Massachusetts is that the MBLC expends money and is then reimbursed by IMLS for those expenses. The lack of IMLS staff and the uncertainty about IMLS funding mean the risk of not being reimbursed remains high.

However, the MBLC continues to submit for reimbursements and some small reimbursements have gone through. It’s too soon to tell what that means for future reimbursements, especially with the significant hurdles that still exist for IMLS funding. For more background the Center for Budget Policy and Priorities sums up the current circumstances well. Read the full article.

Thank you for your advocacy and your support as we navigate these difficult times together. Please continue to reach out with questions anytime.

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

MBLC Update June 13

letter_from_senators_warren_markey_to_director_sonderling_on_the_gutting_of_the_institute_of_museum_and_library_services Download

Dear Colleagues,

It has been a quieter-than-usual week on the federal front but I did want to share one important item. Yesterday, I received an email from the Regional Director for Senator Elizabeth Warren that said, in part:

“Wanted to share this letter Senator Warren and Senator Markey sent last night to the Institute of Museum and Library Services Acting Director Keith E. Sonderling demanding answers on funding cuts to museums and libraries across the country. You can also read a full article with more context from this WBUR article … We appreciate the work MBLC and others like it do to make Massachusetts the special place that it is and will continue to support you and fight for you as best we can.”

The letter that the Senators sent is attached to this email [see or download letter above]. It is encouraging to know that our Massachusetts Senators are such strong and vocal supporters of libraries. They gave June 24 as the deadline for Mr. Sonderling’s response. If he replies, I will share the information in a future update. Thank you for all you are doing to keep our state and federal legislators informed. It really makes a difference.

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

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.

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

MBLC May 16 Update

Dear Colleagues,

We received news this week that Rhode Island District Court Judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued an injunction to stop the dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) caused by President Trump’s Executive Order 14238 . The order calls for IMLS employees to be recalled to work and for processing and disbursements of grants to be resumed.

While this is good news, the MBLC continues to proceed with caution. Questions remain about federal compliance with this ruling and the outlook for federal funding for FY2026 is uncertain. As I have mentioned in previous updates, the MBLC is planning for FY2026 with no federal funding. That said, we cannot make up the federal funds via our state budget lines which are currently level funded in the FY26 budgets being debated at the State House.

On Tuesday, May 20, I will use the “State of the State” at the Massachusetts Library Association conference to make an announcement about statewide services that have been impacted by the uncertainty caused by Executive Order 14238. These services include statewide databases, the Commonwealth Catalog, and the statewide Library eBooks and Audiobooks (LEA) program powered by Libby.

After the State of the State, this information will be available at both the MBLC and MLS booths. It will also be emailed to the library community.

I have scheduled information sessions for people who are not able to be at MLA:

May 29, 2025 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JxXK0CrKQz6OxdeAbE71yQ

May 30, 2025 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/veIYpCXdSXmM5EpD9_dYyg

I look forward to seeing you at the MLA conference or at one of the zoom information sessions. Please continue to reach out if you have questions anytime.

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

MBLC May 9 Update

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday, President Trump fired Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress who has been a champion of intellectual freedom. Hearing this news early today was both upsetting and infuriating. My colleague Karen Mellor, the Chief of Library Services at the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services framed the situation eloquently when she said, “The country is poorer now for the irrational removal of a respected and thoughtful leader of one of our nation’s leading institutions.” Dr. Hayden was the first woman and first African American Librarian of Congress. She was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by Congress in 2016, and served under the Obama, Trump, Biden, and Trump’s current administrations. Her entire career has been focused on equity in library services, patron privacy, outreach, and building diversity within the library workforce.

Dr. Hayden’s abrupt termination is a stark reminder that our freedom, including our freedom to read, is being challenged across the country. Hereat home we need to continue efforts to pass legislation that protects that right — and protects the librarians who work to ensure that all voices are part of library collections.

We received notice this week that a federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction halting the further dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that began on March 14 when President Trump signed Executive Order 14238 eliminating IMLS to “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” The preliminary injunction comes as part of the lawsuit filed by attorneys general in 21 states, including Massachusetts. This is separate from the lawsuit filed by the American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) which as I reported out in last week’s update, was granted a temporary restraining order to block the dismantling of IMLS.

These are solid wins. In the long game they may move us closer to a return to reliable federal funding for libraries. But right now, the MBLC is facing difficult decisions that are based on what we do know: federal uncertainty persists. We cannot sign contracts or move ahead with services for FY2026 based on what we hope will happen with federal funding.

We’ve been asked if there’s a possibility that the flow of federal funding will return for FY2026. There’s always that possibility. And should the funding requirements align with the values we’ve held since our founding in 1890, we’ll gladly accept them and put them to work serving the people of the Commonwealth.

Please continue to reach out with questions. We appreciate your support.

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners