Libraries are not political spaces. They don’t pick sides, and when a librarian is at work – they are Switzerland. You want a book written by a political leader of your chosen party? They will get it for you. And when the next person in line wants a book written by a political leader with a different view? They’ll get that book for them, too; and they will have no opinion about retrieving either, regardless of their own personal beliefs. This is a tenant of the profession. As librarians we stake our integrity upon treating every patron equally.
So, when I say this isn’t political, I mean it.
Still, we have to talk about the federal funding crisis all libraries in the nation are facing.
Let’s first start with the basics. Acronyms like NEH and IMLS are getting thrown around in relation to federal budget cuts and if you aren’t in the business of libraries or museums it might be a bit confusing.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is the primary federal agency supporting libraries and museums across the country, funding programs with Congress appropriated funds that promote access to education, technology, and culture. Through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), IMLS helps libraries offer everything from job-seeker support to early literacy programs – resources especially critical in rural communities. In Arizona, these funds are distributed through the State Library and are often paired with grants from organizations like Arizona Humanities, which is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Unfortunately, both IMLS and NEH are facing steep federal budget cuts, putting at risk the local programs, workshops, and community resources that help people thrive. These proposed cuts threaten far more than line items—they jeopardize opportunities for learning, connection, and growth in every corner of our state.
At the time of writing this column, it was announced that as of April 13th all Arizona Humanities programs are cancelled. We had three more planned for this year. Now we’re not sure how we’re going to cover the cost of hosting those presenters.
Over the past year the library has been offering a wellness program called Get Better Together. Have you been to a library yoga class, tai chi, line dancing, Zumba, or a sound bath? Learned how to play the ukulele at the library? Enjoyed a new wellness book you found on the shelf? Then you benefited from LSTA funding. Nearly 90% of the funds needed to make all those classes happen for our community came from an LSTA grant. And guess what? The wellness program was a huge success, and we wanted to keep offering all the classes and more, so we applied for another LSTA grant to make them happen.
You can see where this is going. With the information we have now, there is a good chance that we won’t be getting that critical funding any longer. And with that loss comes the loss of opportunities for all of us. So, please consider using your greatest power – your voice—and reach out to Congress and tell them you want them to support and stand for libraries. Go to www.ala.org or scan the QR code to be directed to ways to contact Congress today. Your voice is your strength, and your strength is our greatest hope at safeguarding libraries and more importantly the communities they serve.
Sedona Public Library DBA Community Library Sedona is also a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gifts and support, just like the Friends’ contributions, allow us to provide a plethora of services and programs for the community, for free, all year long. Visit communitylibrarysedona.org/donate to make an online gift today.
As published by Red Rock News
Library News Column for April 18, 2025, by Tasha Spuches, Assistant Director
