Analysis: Seacoast-area Public Libraries and Federal Funding Cuts

Overview

• Key Issue: Seacoast-area libraries face potential loss of federal funding due to an executive order reducing or eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
• Impact: This threatens critical programs like interlibrary loans (ILL), digital access, and services for visually impaired individuals.

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Critical Facts and Data Points

1. Funding Cuts and IMLS

• Agency: The IMLS, a federal agency supporting libraries nationwide, is at risk of reduced or eliminated funding.
• Grant Details:
  • IMLS provides approximately $1.5 million in grants to New Hampshire for the ILL program.
  • This funding supports interlibrary loans and digital services like Libby.

2. Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Program

• Usage Statistics:
  • Portsmouth Library: ~2,700 books borrowed/year from other libraries.
  • Dover Public Library:
    • Loaned 1,546 materials in 2024.
    • Borrowed 2,263 materials in 2024.
• Impact: Loss of ILL funding would cripple library collaboration and reduce access to materials for patrons.

3. Digital Services

• Libby Usage:
  • Dover Public Library reported 59,988 works accessed via Libby in 2024.
• Importance: Digital services are critical for remote access to books, audiobooks, and magazines.

4. Talking Book Services

• Impact on Visually Impaired:
  • Talking Book services funded by IMLS are vital for visually impaired individuals.
  • Sheryl Bass (Durham Public Library) emphasized the importance of these services for community members with low vision or blindness.

5. Uncertainty and Budget Timeline

• Budget Timing: Final budget details for IMLS funding will be released in April 2024.
• State Response: The New Hampshire State Library lacks clarity on potential cuts but is awaiting further instructions.

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Market Implications

1. Service Disruption

• Libraries face significant challenges in maintaining services without federal funding, potentially leading to:
  • Drastic reduction or elimination of ILL programs.
  • Limited access to digital resources like Libby.
  • Reduced availability of materials for visually impaired patrons.

2. Financial Strain

• Local libraries will likely need to reallocate existing budgets to cover lost federal funding, further straining already constrained resources.

3. Competitive Dynamics

• The loss of IMLS funding could create uneven competition among libraries:
  • Larger institutions with more resources may adapt better.
  • Smaller libraries may struggle to maintain baseline services.

4. Long-Term Effects

• Reduced funding could lead to long-term declines in library usage and community engagement, particularly affecting vulnerable populations reliant on these services.

5. Regulatory Impact

• The executive order targeting IMLS reflects broader federal policies prioritizing cuts to cultural and educational institutions.
• Libraries may need to advocate for alternative funding sources or face significant service reductions.

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Strategic Considerations

1. Public Advocacy

• Libraries should consider campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of their services and the risks posed by funding cuts.

2. Diversifying Funding Sources

• Explore partnerships with local governments, private donors, or community organizations to offset lost federal funding.

3. Service Adaptation

• libraries may need to adapt services to align with reduced funding, potentially prioritizing essential programs while scaling back others.

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Conclusion

The potential elimination of IMLS funding poses significant risks to Seacoast-area libraries and their patrons. The loss of critical programs like interlibrary loans, digital access, and Talking Book services would have far-reaching implications for community access to information and resources. Libraries must act swiftly to mitigate these impacts through strategic planning, advocacy, and alternative funding strategies.