Madison Public Library is celebrating National Library Week from April 6-12, according to the City of Madison. The libraries will offer various activities and events online and in-person for Madison’s community to show support for the public library system, which is celebrating 150 years.
On March 14, an executive order placed all staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services on temporary leave, freezing funding for 90 days.
The IMLS supports nationwide library and museum systems through grants, research and policy development, according to their website. The federal decision called for the reduction of the presence of the IMLS alongside six other organizations, including the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and the United States Agency for Global Media.
This year, the libraries are encouraging participants to fill out a “Share Your Story” postcard to explain how the public library system has provided them resources, community and help.
Postcards created in the “Share Your Story” activity will be collected and sent to Wisconsin senators and congressional representatives to advocate for library funding at the federal level, according to Madison Public Library Digital Services & Marketing Manager Liz Boyd.
“This year specifically, we felt it was important to ask people to talk about our services, our spaces, and our programs that have really had an impact on their lives as a way to advocate for library funding,” Boyd said.
Boyd explained that though this freeze is temporary, it is likely that IMLS funding will be canceled altogether. Madison Public Library is part of the Regional South Central Library System, which receives over $100,000 from the IMLS each year.
The funds are distributed each July and there is now uncertainty for the 2025 July funding, according to Boyd.
The state of Wisconsin offers an online library program called BadgerLink, which helps fund research databases, particularly for students. This means there is a possibility that Madison’s public library system could make up the financial difference in funding if IMLS funds are lost, according to Boyd.
But, she explained that for smaller, rural areas, this would be nearly impossible due to a lack of resources. Worldwide newspapers, Heritage Quest and sources such as Britannica are just a few of the resources these libraries would potentially lose, according to Boyd.
Boyd stresses that this is not a partisan issue. She believes there is a false narrative about who uses and needs libraries, when in actuality, they provide resources for voting, finding jobs, books and technology.
“Research shows that 90% of people love their libraries and value the ability and access to lifelong learning,” Boyd said. “They value the services that libraries bring.”
As Madison Public Library marks its 150th anniversary, Boyd hopes to find a balance between advocating for its future and celebrating. The library system is also urging the community to reach out to senators, state representatives and legislators to emphasize the importance of libraries.
“Libraries are really the heart of the community, and a free place for people to come, be safe, warm, and cared for while they find what they need,” Boyd said.