The future of our libraries is at stake. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency dedicated to funding and supporting America’s libraries, has been targeted for drastic funding cuts by the current administration. IMLS funding makes up only 0.003% of the federal budget.

New Yorkers are set to benefit from $8.1 million from IMLS in 2025 through the Grants to States Program. This funding ensures that the NYS Library can administer critical state-level services and support to over 7,000 libraries and 72 library systems.

IMLS funding ensures that the NYS Library can administer critical funding to libraries and library systems. The Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System receives 85% of its funding from New York State. The State Library administers this program to ensure that CCLS can provide essential services and support to 36 member libraries.

The Library Construction Aid program is vital to our libraries. The average age of a library in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties is 85 years old. In the last five years, 49 library construction projects have been awarded over $3.3M through the Construction Aid program. Projects have focused on ADA accessibility, energy efficiency, safety and security, and improvements to modernize and improve spaces for patrons.

NYS Library staff, supported by IMLS funding, work tirelessly to provide support services for libraries and communities across the state. They support Summer Reading programs coordinated by local libraries that provide educational programming for children and families, helping slow the summer slide.  In 2024 alone, CCLS member libraries offered 855 programs for children and 142 programs for Teens.

Professional development and training opportunities are made available to NYS librarians, staff, and trustees through the NYS Library, allowing for skill building that will help libraries thrive.

The users of New York’s public, school, academic, and special libraries, are counting on you. Add your voice to the growing number of library supporters and tell the current administration that you support libraries and believe IMLS funding is essential.

There are several ways that you can help:

1. Send a letter or email using the attached letter or by using the
   1. NYLA Email form to Defend IMLS: https://bit.ly/4bAl6OX
   2. ALA Email form bit.ly/ProtectLibraryFunding
2. Call your Senators and Congressman! Calls are very important. They are counted daily to show what issues people feel are important.
3. Share the call to action on your social media. Visit ALA, NYLA, or CCLS Facebook pages for calls to action that you can share easily on your own page.
4. Ask staff, patrons, trustees, and library lovers to advocate too! Get the word out!
5. Visit https://www.cclsny.org/protect-public-libraries/ for more information
6. Read and share NYLA's full statement: https://bit.ly/3Rgx32O
7. Read and share ALA’s full statement https://bit.ly/4kFufd8
8. ALSO: Take action! Increase NYS library funding: https://bit.ly/4bwljCN