IMLS

On March 14th, the President issued an Executive Order calling for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), along with six other federal agencies. IMLS is the primary federal agency responsible for providing funding to libraries and museums in the nation. The agency's congressionally approved budget of approximately $298 million is predominantly allocated to library services through the Library Services Technology Act (LSTA), which represents about 0.003% of the current federal budget.

IMLS programs serve more than 1.2 billion people nationwide each year. According to a Gallup poll, local library visits exceed attendance at NFL, NHL, NBA games, NASCAR events, concerts, and movie theaters COMBINED. (Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/284009/library-visits-outpaced-trips-movies-2019.aspx.)

Public libraries in the United States are primarily funded at the local level. Davenport Public Library, as an independent agency of the City of Davenport, is funded through the City’s General Fund, and Library employees are City employees. Prior to 2023, additional funding was provided through the Davenport voter-approved 2003 Special Library Levy, which was eliminated by HF718 (property tax reform act).

Federal LSTA funding supports services provided by the State Library of Iowa, benefitting Iowa libraries and residents. For Davenport Public Library, these services include:

• IA Shares Delivery Service: A twice-weekly delivery system supporting the sharing of materials among Iowa libraries. Last year, Davenport patrons borrowed 46,803 items from other libraries, and Davenport Public Library provided 34,308 items to other Iowa libraries.
• Brainfuse: Digital resources supported by IMLS funding offering homework assistance, tutoring, career services, veteran support, and more. Davenport patrons accessed Brainfuse over 3,078 times last year.
• Accreditation and Standards: Davenport Public Library has maintained continuous accreditation since 1986, ensuring high-quality library services for our community.
• Endorsement Program: Provides professional development, recognition, and foundational knowledge for librarians and library directors. Our director holds a gold-level endorsement, and all librarians are endorsed as professional librarians.
• State of Iowa Libraries Online (SILO): An interlibrary loan platform facilitating resource sharing. Last year, Davenport residents extensively used SILO in 2024-25 due to transition challenges with our primary out-of-state partner, MOBIUS.
• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional training for library directors, librarians and library workers, and library trustees. Library employees attend many training sessions throughout the year.
• Summer Reading Program: Davenport participates in the statewide Summer Reading Challenge, with 1,567 children and families participating last year.

The potential loss of these federal funds would significantly impact small and rural libraries. Smaller libraries often lack the budgets to fund these services independently. In addition to summer reading programs, IMLS funding supports initiatives such as All Iowa Reads, website and technology assistance, STEM to Go and Storytime Kits, digital databases, and the People's Law Library of Iowa.

Funding for IMLS depends on two key factors:

1. The Museum and Library Services Act of 2018, which sunsets on September 30, 2025, and requires reauthorization by Congress; and
2. Federal appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026 (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026).

Without adequate funding, IMLS will be unable to fulfill its mission effectively.

You can find more information at www.saveimls.org.

 

SPECIAL LIBRARY LEVY

Legislation passed in 2023, HF718, eliminated the Special Library Levy.

This levy was a local voter-approved property tax that allowed residents to tax themsleves $0.27 per $1,000 assessed value to provide for enhanced library service in their community. The voters and residents of Davenport passed a levy in 2003, which allowed Davenport Public Library to build and staff our two branch libraries - Fairmount and Eastern.

This Issue Brief highlights the challenges faced by institutions and communities that previously relied on these levies. Numerous libraries and museums that depend on this funding are experiencing significant difficulties, particularly in rural areas, should the levies not be restored. A call to action has been issued by those in the library and museum community, as the legislature is currently deliberating additional property tax bills, HSB313/SSB1208 & SSB1227, and advocates believe this represents the best chance for the restoration of the levies.

You may wish to contact your legislators and share this information with anyone who supports libraries and museums in Iowa.

 

Davenport Public Library is proud to be supported by our vibrant and diverse community! The resources on this page are intended to make it easy for you to share information about the value of The Library with your friends and family and to advocate with your elected officials and other community stakeholders. 

 

Advocacy is critical for public libraries! By telling others about The Library, you are: 

 

Here are some messages you can share in your networks to show the value of The Library! 

  

 

 

Additional Resources