MAAM Advocacy Alert: Statement on White House’s FY 2021 Budget Request

On February 10th, the Trump Administration released details from its budget request to Congress for FY 2021. The White House has requested $23 million in funding for the orderly closure of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, effective October 1, 2020. As members of the museum community, we know very well that IMLS is the primary source of federal funding for museums and libraries. IMLS invests in communities of all sizes across the United States and its territories.  IMLS ensures public library services for all Americans, helps preserve the heritage of our nation, and provides critical funding for literacy and workforce development programs. IMLS empowers museums and libraries to provide increased access and navigation to information, allowing for continued education, growth in research skills and even employment. Through these and many more projects, federal investments in museums and libraries across the nation have helped transform and uplift the lives of millions of Americans.

As museum professionals, we need to advocate for federal funding to continue to keep these programs alive.  It is our responsibility to remind elected leaders that communities rely on museums and library services.
We are counting on you to send this message to Congress. We hope to see you at Museums Advocacy Day, and we ask you to encourage Congress to support IMLS while you’re there. If you can’t join us, please take a moment to email or call your representatives in Congress about why we must continue to #FundMuseums and #FundLibraries.

Need more information? A FAQ page on IMLS FY 2020 operations and the FY 2021 budget request can be found here. 

The American Library Association will be monitoring budget negotiations. Visit #FundLibraries campaign page for updates.

For resources on how to contact your representatives, visit the American Alliance of Museums website at: https://www.aam-us.org/programs/advocacy/advocacy-resources/

Thank you for your support,

The Staff and Board at the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums