Federal funding supports essential programs and services at Brimfield Public Library District. Those programs and services are in jeopardy if federal funding for libraries is eliminated. You can help by asking Congress to protect federal funding for libraries.

On March 14, an executive order directed the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Even though the Senate passed and the President signed a continuing resolution that secured IMLS funding through September 2025, on March 31 all IMLS staff were placed on administrative leave and all grants and contracts were suspended. On May 2 the White House released a budget proposal that would fully eliminate IMLS in the next fiscal year starting October 1, 2025.

In Illinois, federal funding to local libraries (totaling $5.7 million in FY 2024) is distributed by the Illinois State Library through the IMLS Grants to States program.  This funding supports core services like interlibrary loan, grants, programming, professional development, and resources for staff and patrons.

• Inter-Library Loan (ILL) or borrowing items from other libraries
• Last year (FY 2024), BPLD patrons borrowed 4,859 items from other libraries
• Buying those items would have cost the library an estimated $87,462 – our budget for all materials, including digital items, was $69,000. We cannot afford to buy everything people want.
• BPLD currently receives ILL delivery 5 days per week. Reductions to ILL delivery service would result in longer wait times for BPLD patrons.
• Grants
• BPLD has been awarded 10 IMLS-funded Project Next Generation (PNG) grants totaling $221,565. Grant funds have made up 1%-3% of our annual budget for the last 10 years.
• The library’s robotics teams; 3D design project with BGS 6th grade; video and poster design projects with BGS 8th grade; robots and circuits used used by St. Mary’s STEM class; photography, videography, and virtual reality workshops; and most recently the LED lights programmed to coordinate with the songs performed during BHS’s Frozen the Musical are all funded by PNG grants.
• The 2002 expansion of the library building was partially funded by an IMLS-funded Live and Learn Construction Grant.
• Loss of federal grant opportunities would force BPLD to make cuts to programs and services and restrict our ability to respond to future community and library needs.
• OCLC’s WorldCat Discovery/First Search
• Using OCLC catalog records ensures BPLD staff can process new items quickly and get them into your hands.
• Standardized catalog records ensure you can find the format you want (audiobook, eBook, large print, etc.) in our catalog without confusion.
• Continuing education and professional development for Trustees and staff
• BPLD Trustees and staff are committed to staying current on library best practices. Federally funded training helps us stay up to date and provide you with innovative, effective, and efficient library resources, programs, and services.

• Call Your Members of Congress
  Use the American Library Association’s form to make a call in support of federal library funding. Enter your address in the form, and then click the call button to receive a phone call that connects you with our elected officials. If you can, add your own comment about why the library is important to YOU.

• Email Your Members of Congress
  Use the American Library Association’s form to email your members of Congress. Enter your address in the form, write a short message about why the library is important to YOU or simply ask them to support IMLS and library funding, and then click the Send button.

• Spread the Word
  Ask your friends, family, and acquaintances to speak up for library funding too.