ASIS&T Statement on IMLS Funding
The US White House budget request for FY2019 proposes funding for the orderly closure of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) (https://www.imls.gov/). IMLS is a US Federal Agency that is the primary source of funding for public museums and libraries in the United States.
The Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) recognizes the significant role that IMLS grants also play in the advancement of scholarly research in Library and Information Science and Technology as well as the advancement of libraries and their role in important community development related to literacy. ASIS&T is committed to advocating on behalf of the continued funding of IMLS.
The release of a budget request is the first step in a lengthy process to arrive at a final budget, and ultimately the decision on whether or not to continue to fund IMLS rests with the United States Congress. Over the coming weeks and months, ASIS&T will be working with our affiliate organizations to send a message to Congress that encourages continued funding of IMLS. We encourage our members and stakeholders based in the United States to reach out to their local legislators to do the same.
The American Library Association has excellent resources available on their website (http://www.ala.org/everyday-advocacy/fund-libraries) to support and facilitate individual advocacy efforts.
More information on how to support this advocacy effort is available through ASIS&T by emailingasist@asist.org.