On March 31, 2025, all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) employees were placed on administrative leave, with access to their work systems blocked. The President replaced the agency’s leadership with the Deputy Secretary of Labor. Without leadership and staff, it’s expected that library funding will be halted.
This action puts crucial services at risk across the country—and especially here in Wisconsin. Federal law requires IMLS to provide support to public libraries, but that support is currently only guaranteed through September 2025.
Why IMLS Funding Matters to the Baldwin Public Library:
IMLS funds support BadgerLink, the state of Wisconsin’s online library – giving students, researchers, job seekers and lifelong learners access to hundreds of quality databases for free.
IMLS funds help provide access to free wi fi and public computers at the Baldwin Library – a critical service for families without reliable internet at home, especially in rural parts of Wisconsin.
IMLS funds help pay for required continuing education trainings for library staff, which allows us to spend more of our budget on materials and services.
IMLS funds support WISCAT, our statewide interlibrary loan system, making it possible for patrons to borrow materials from any library in the state.
What can library users and supporters do to help?
Advocate for the services that matter to you! Please visit https://mywisconsinlibrary.org/ to learn more!