Michigan's eLibrary and Federal Funding Threats
Since March of this year, libraries across the country have wrestled with federal funding uncertainty and the prospect of losing widely used programs and services funded by those dollars.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only dedicated source of federal funding for public libraries, is facing funding threats from the federal administration, including attempts to shutter the agency via Executive Order and the federal budget appropriation process.
Here in Michigan, we stand to lose $4.8M in IMLS federal funds, putting Michigan’s eLibrary and statewide catalog, MeL and MeLCat, at risk of severe service disruptions.
The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) is the state’s free digital library, administered by the Library of Michigan, an agency of the Michigan Department of Education, in partnership with libraries statewide. MeL is funded by both state appropriations and federal funds through IMLS.
Keep an eye on this page for the latest news to stay informed about the status of IMLS and federal funding, how this funding impacts local library services, and what you can do to help support your local library by advocating for Federal and State funding.
While a lot of uncertainty remains, Michiganders are clear in their support for IMLS and IMLS-funded programs. In the June poll commissioned by MLA, 78% of respondents said that IMLS funding from the federal government should remain part of the federal budget.
If federal funding for libraries is no longer part of the federal budget, 82% of respondents said it is important for the State of Michigan to replace funding lost for libraries. These figures show strong support for the continuation of programs like MeL and MeLCat, and send a message to our federal and statewide legislators that these programs remain a priority for Michiganders.
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Thursday, November 20, 2025 12:00 AM |
Federal Budget Update
On the evening of Wednesday, November 12, the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history came to an end. Largely along party lines, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution, a temporary funding measure that reopens and funds government operations through January 30, 2026.
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Wednesday, September 03, 2025 12:00 AM |
Call Your Legislators and Urge Them to Support Library Funding in the Michigan FY2026 Budget!
Last week, the Michigan House of Representatives approved an omnibus budget bill, HB 4706, for fiscal year 2026. Now with less than a month before a signed state budget is due, the budget process is entering its final, most critical phase: reconciling major differences in Michigan's budget across Chambers and the Governor’s office.
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Thursday, August 28, 2025 12:00 AM |
Joint Letter Urging Congress to Fund IMLS
MLA and a coalition of associations representing Michigan’s libraries, museums, and historical societies have sent a joint letter to Congressional leaders urging them to support funding the Institute of Museum and Library Services in FY 2026.
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Thursday, August 28, 2025 12:00 AM |
Note From Dillon
As we near the end of the season, Michigan’s Congressional leaders will return to work in Washington after Labor Day. Over the summer, MLA and other organizations supporting libraries have sent communications to Congress, urging them to support federal funding for libraries. Before their August recess, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee included a small increase and level funding for library programs. Now we need to remind the U.S. House of Representatives to follow suit.
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Friday, July 25, 2025 12:00 AM |
Federal Funding Uncertainty for Libraries and Polling Support from Michiganders
In June 2025, MLA commissioned a statewide poll to learn more about Michiganders’ attitudes towards public libraries and book bans. That poll also included questions around the uncertain future of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and federal funding for libraries.
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Thursday, June 26, 2025 08:32 AM |
IMLS Update: Timeline of Key Events and Status
Since March of this year, libraries across the country have wrestled with federal funding uncertainty and the prospect of losing widely used programs and services funded by those dollars. An Executive Order seeking to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) - the only dedicated source of federal funding for public libraries - was followed by the firing and replacement of key staff, federal lawsuits, court injunctions, and calls to action. With so many updates to this story over the last few months, we thought it would be helpful to summarize the timeline so far and the latest updates on securing IMLS funding.
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Friday, June 13, 2025 09:01 AM |
House Budget Proposes Flat State Aid to Libraries, Anticipates IMLS Funding Cuts
Yesterday, Michigan’s House of Representatives moved its education budget through subcommittee, appropriations and approved the plan on the House floor. Because funding for the Library of Michigan falls under the Department of Education, the House Republicans’ budget gives us our first glimpse at their plan for public library funding in the next fiscal year.
Approved in a party-line vote, the House budget bill, HB 4576, preserves state aid to libraries, providing the same $16.5 million allocation as was approved for the current fiscal year. This is in line with the Governor’s original budget proposal for next year as well. Both budgets propose flat state aid to libraries in the amount of $16.5 million.
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