UPDATE Photo of the library in spring, with the text "Statement Ragarding the Potential Impact of Executive Order Reducing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on Nesmith Services"

From the Director's Desk
Potential Impact of Executive Order Reducing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on Nesmith Services

 

UPDATE June 20, 2025:

The New Hampshire State Library has received official award notification for the full and anticipated amount of Grants to States Funds through IMLS. This provides for federally funded services through September 30, 2026. 

The defunding and elimination of IMLS currently remains in the Federal Budget proposal, so this may be a temporary reprieve. I will continue to follow the news about how these changes could affect library service in New Hampshire and here locally in Windham. 

Sylvie Brikiatis
Director, Nesmith Library

Original Statement, dated March 19, 2025


An executive order issued on Friday, March 14, 2025, calls for the reduction or elimination of functions of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The IMLS is an independent federal agency that provides support to libraries and museums across all 50 states and U.S. territories. It administers both federal grants to states, allowing them to determine how funds are allocated, and discretionary grants to individual library entities.

The New Hampshire State Library currently relies on $1.5 million in IMLS grant funding to support several important services throughout the state, including:

  • Interlibrary loan (ILL) program, including the online catalog and van service
  • Talking Books service for the blind and visually impaired
  • Access to Libby, the incredibly popular eBook, eAudiobook, and digital magazine platform

What does this mean for Nesmith Library cardholders?
In 2024, Nesmith Library circulated 1,964 items to and from fellow New Hampshire libraries through inter-library loans. At our library, many individuals, book groups, and homeschool educators use this collaborative ILL system to request and obtain materials they would not otherwise have access to for a variety of reasons.

Digital reading is increasingly popular among our patrons – in 2024, Nesmith Library patrons borrowed 22,247 ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through Libby alone.

While we don’t yet know exactly how or when this executive order will affect New Hampshire libraries, we do know that the IMLS funds not being available would dramatically impact those IMLS funded services.

As we receive updates from the New Hampshire State Library, we will do our best to let all our patrons know about any changes to these vital services.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Sylvie Brikiatis
Director, Nesmith Library