Administration targets library, museum funding as part of effort to slash public services

A recent executive order targets the nation’s libraries and museums. It’s yet another example of the administration, anti-union extremists and their billionaire buddies going after public services that communities need and deserve.

The March 14 order lists several federal agencies for elimination, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services. IMLS provides grants to public, academic and school libraries and museums.

IMLS grants are important to library and museum programs, especially in smaller and rural institutions that rely on federal funding for a greater share of their budgets. IMLS pays for things like running summer reading programs and upgrading infrastructure and technology.

If the administration succeeds in getting rid of IMLS, libraries and museums across the country would see budget cuts that could jeopardize programs and staff.

Most libraries and museums receive a modest portion of their budgets from the IMLS. But some of them depend a lot more on the agency’s help. For example, Library Journal reported IMLS funds made up nearly 60% of funding for the Colorado State Library.

AFSCME Cultural Workers United members work at many of the facilities that receive money from the IMLS. Workers at school and public libraries, museum curators and other staff and cultural workers could see their roles scaled back or worse.

AFSCME members will never stop fighting for public services and standing up for cultural workers everywhere.

The best way to fight these and other attacks from anti-union extremists, billionaires and this administration is to Get Organized. Let’s GO.

Signing up for union membership or forming a union at your workplace is a great way for workers at museums, zoos, libraries and other cultural institutions to fight these attacks. AFSCME Cultural Workers United is the largest organizing movement for cultural workers in the country. CWU represents 42,000 workers at cultural institutions nationwide, more than any other union.