The library couldn’t access its $1,526,754 in federal funding after Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine State Library can now access half of its 2024 federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, allowing the library to rescind some layoffs.
The library’s $1,526,754 in federal funds was frozen after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the IMLS. The library has been closed since April 9.
Last month, the library announced it had plans to lay off 13 employees, but now that some federal funding has been restored the organization has been able to avoid some.
Maine State Librarian Lori Fisher said the library has rescinded three layoff notices for employees whose positions are supported by federal funding. Two more layoffs were averted as employees moved into different job positions.
Further layoffs, Fisher said, are delayed until May 8.
Fisher said if federal funding is restored in full, the other employees who received layoff notices could get their jobs back.
The library is still waiting to hear when or if it might be able to access the rest of its IMLS funding for this year. Those funds represent 30 percent of the State Library’s annual budget and support things like Wi-Fi for public libraries and interlibrary loans.
The uncertainty of federal funding going forward has some libraries that rely on the State Library for services concerned about their future, including school libraries.
While school libraries don’t directly receive federal funding, Beth Andersen, president of the Maine Association of School Libraries, said schools use the State Library and public libraries to help get students some of the books and resources they need.
One example is interlibrary loans. Andersen said most school libraries are small, so they supplement their stock with books from libraries across the state to get students and teachers what they’re looking for. But without that program, Andersen said it would be hard to meet the needs.
Schools also use databases that are funded by the State Library for student research.
Andersen said most schools wouldn’t be able to afford these resources on their own, and that “students across the state rely on for research.”
“If we continue to see cuts in funding, then that is something that could be impacted where we will lose access to valid and reliable health information, job information,” Andersen said.
For now, Andersen said her school’s interlibrary loans and other services are still running smoothly.
The Maine State Library’s location at 242 State Street in Augusta will remain closed through May 26 to continue planning for staffing changes. Fisher said this will also support the library’s long-planned move back into the renovated State Cultural Building.
The State Library said it would provide more information on the move and reopening in the coming weeks.
