Spring may be over, but library lovers have sprung forward to support federal funding for libraries—and members of Congress are responding positively. Amid headline-grabbing chaos in the federal government, including President Trump’s efforts to wipe out federal funding for libraries, behind-the-scenes work is progressing in Congress to secure funding for libraries in fiscal year 2026.
At the American Library Association’s (ALA) Public Policy and Advocacy Office, we have heard one message from library advocates come through loud and clear: Tell us what we can do! This year, ALA’s annual Fund Libraries campaign has drawn thousands of advocates nationwide, signing Dear Appropriator letters that call on their elected officials to provide crucial funding for US libraries. Members of Congress—led this year by US Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.)—circulate these letters in the spring, before budget appropriations committees begin drafting the coming fiscal year’s spending bills, and ask their fellow legislators to add their names in support of library funding.
Dear Appropriator letters are a critical first step in Congress’s annual budget process and a key way for the nationwide community of library advocates to have a significant impact on the way library services are funded at the federal level.
Here’s how the budget process works, how library supporters pitched in during April and May to help ALA achieve its goals, and what to do next to help the Association support libraries across the country.
How are libraries funded at the federal level?
As outlined in Article I, Section 9, of the US Constitution, Congress must craft 12 spending bills to fund the federal government annually. One of these 12 spending bills includes funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), which is operated through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and provides funding to state library agencies as well as library-related competitive grant projects. Also included is funding for Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL), which supports early literacy efforts through school libraries and is operated through the US Department of Education. Because LSTA and IAL are the only two federal programs dedicated to libraries, maintaining their operation is crucial.
As Congress starts its work on these bills, ALA and library advocates have their first opportunity to make the case that library funding is an effective use of resources in every community and must be a priority for the federal government.
How is the campaign to fund libraries different this year?
Since Trump’s inauguration, his administration has lobbed attacks at the funding of agencies across the government. IMLS is no exception. In March, Trump issued an executive order, Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy, that calls for the elimination of IMLS. In addition, the proposed FY2026 federal budget released on May 2 eliminates the budget for IMLS.
Without operating funds, the question of IMLS’s existence is moot—making the actions of library supporters during ALA’s annual campaign to fund libraries more critical this year than most.
What were the results of this year’s campaign?
During the Fund Libraries campaign—which ran from early April through Memorial Day—library advocates used ALA’s tools to log more than 25,000 emails and calls to legislators, asking them to sign Dear Appropriator letters to support LSTA and IAL. Advocates also took action through their own email and social media accounts as well as in the press. In both the House and the Senate, this wave of public support made a big difference in the number of signatures on these letters—something the appropriations committees take into account when writing their budget bills.
In the House, 123 representatives signed the Dear Appropriator letter regarding LSTA, an increase of 18% over last year. The IAL letter was signed by 86 representatives, an increase of 41% over last year. In the Senate, the results on the IAL letter stayed even with last year, with 33 signatures, and signatures on the LSTA letter increased, with 42 signatures. Congress heard from you and signed accordingly!
Thanks to library advocates’ willingness to take action and keep at it for more than a month, we were able to demonstrate an increase in Congress’s support for libraries from last year to this year.
What happens next?
There is no shortage of concerning news coming out of Washington, D.C. Threats to library funding. Threats to the very existence of agencies such as IMLS and the Department of Education. The possibility of eliminating library services, technology, and staff is real and unprecedented.
Two court cases defending the existence of IMLS are proceeding, including a lawsuit filed by ALA and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees against the Trump administration. While the timeline and resolution of these cases are uncertain, the initial court orders are promising: a temporary restraining order halts the administration’s gutting of IMLS and a preliminary injunction directs the administration to restore terminated IMLS staff and grants to recipients in 21 states.
This is the start of a long budget process. But we know from years of experience that it is an advantage to start with a strong message and solid support from champions within Congress for libraries as valued institutions worthy of funding.
Throughout this year, ALA will engage in advocacy for library funding as these spending bills are written and voted on. Next we’ll be in touch with library supporters who are constituents of lawmakers on the appropriations committees, to make sure they have the tools they need to hold their elected officials to account. If you’re not on our advocacy alerts email list, sign up now to connect with ALA throughout the year.
There are multiple ways to continue the momentum in support of library funding: ALA’s Show Up for Our Libraries page offers resources for taking action, from how to write to your local newspaper to templates for printed materials to hand out in your community. Our colleagues at the Public Library Association will also host a webinar on June 10 that will walk participants through the process of inviting their members of Congress to visit a library in their state.
This month, ALA will hold its 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition June 26–30, in Philadelphia. There’s no better way to connect with your library community than to join us in person.
So, if you’re still asking, what’s a library advocate to do in the face of all these challenges? Show up—in unprecedented ways!
