Here’s Where to Contact Congress to Keep Museums and Libraries Funded

An Executive Order from the White House calls for the dismantling of several federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS provides essential funding support for museums, libraries and historical archives nationwide, including Westchester County.

Libraries and museums are access-points for educational resources, rich historical contexts and diverse cultural perspectives made available to any and all who seek them, though these restrictions will be felt most in lower income areas, where free library resources may be harder to come by elsewhere.

According to the American Library Association, IMLS draws about 0.003% of the annual federal budget. However, arts and culture organizations are speaking out on the big impact this small budget has on their ability to sustain educational programs for children, historical archives, accessibility resources for seniors, literacy programs and more for their local communities.

Those who are concerned about this executive order are urged to make their priorities clear to those who represent them by contacting their members of Congress. American Alliance of Museums and American Library Association both have forms and template letters available to send, liked below. Including personal anecdotes is encouraged as well.  

• Contact Congress:
  https://www.congressweb.com/aam/94/
• American Alliance of Museums:
  https://www.aam-us.org/2025/03/17/urgent-act-now-to-save-imls/
• American Library Association:
  https://app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-page?cid=9CyapZUB9sorxFLO4J0c&lang=en

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_{Photo: Hudson River Museum is among those museums that receive funding support from IMLS. (photo courtesy of Hudson River Museum)}