Here’s how the gutting of a federal agency will affect Whatcom County’s libraries, museums
Proposed cuts to a little-known federal agency could be “devastating” for library and museum patrons in Washington, Bellingham and Whatcom County officials told The Bellingham Herald.
Major news organizations reported Monday that the entire staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services was placed on leave. The federal agency, which provides funding for museums and libraries across the country, was targeted for elimination in a March executive order from President Donald J. Trump.
“This was devastating news today,” Bellingham Public Library Director Rebecca Judd told The Herald.
Neither the Bellingham library or the Whatcom County Library System receive federal funds directly, Whatcom County libraries Director Christine Perkins told The Herald. But both libraries receive federal money through the state.
“The executive order threatens vital funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services,” Perkins said in an email. “This is the only federal funding dedicated to supporting the work of public libraries across the United States. Although WCLS has received limited support via IMLS in the past, of greater concern is the impact these reductions will have on the budget of the Washington State Library which in turn supports WCLS and Whatcom County residents.”
Whatcom Museum officials recently applied for a $250,000 grant from Museums for America, which is an IMLS program. Whatcom Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate.
Funds sought through the federal program “would contribute significantly” to the museum’s Archival Revival project that seeks to move its photo archives collection of 200,000 historic Pacific Northwest photographic materials to a climate-controlled vault, allow research access for historians and display local history exhibitions, Whatcom Museum Director Patricia Leach told The Herald.
“Without this grant, the museum will still move ahead with this project but will go at a much slower pace. While we’ve been fortunate to receive donations from our members and supporters, receipt of the IMLS grant would go a long way to helping us make significant progress,” Leach said in an email.
Judd said the Washington State Library received $3.9 million from the agency’s Grants to States program.
“These funds help support the Washington Digital Library Consortium, of which Bellingham is a member, as well as statewide research database subscriptions, and professional training and consulting for our library and libraries across the state. Also, devastatingly, nearly one-third of the funding for the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library is federal. We know what a lifeline this home-delivery service is to those with vision impairment in our community,” Judd said in an email.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs criticized the proposed cuts in a statement forwarded by Judd.
“Our libraries are the backbone of an informed and well-educated community — an important component in our democracy and election process. They also serve as places of gathering and acceptance as well as centers for knowledge and learning,” Hobbs said.
Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services directly benefits public, Tribal, K-12, and community college libraries, Hobbs said.
The Bellingham Public Library’s $8 million budget is funded by the city government. The Whatcom County Library System’s $11.5 million annual budget is 95% funded through a property tax on residents outside the city of Bellingham.
Both library systems share their collections and provide access to the books through the Libby app.
“At risk is the Washington Statewide Database Licensing program, which provides access to a variety of online research tools, and supervision of the Washington Digital Library Consortium, which lends over 1 million eBooks and eAudiobooks annually through the Libby app. The Washington Talking Book and Braille Library would also be profoundly affected,” Perkins said.
