17-04-2025
Local library system operations ‘unaffected' after federal agency elimination
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — The Tom Green County Library System is assuring citizens that its current operations 'remain stable and unaffected' after a federal order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services 'to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law' was issued.
The order, issued on March 14, stated that 'the non-statutory components and functions' of several government agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services, 'shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.' The order also stated that 'such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.'
The Institute of Museum and Library Services provides federal funding for library and museum services in the United States. One such method is through the population-based Grants to Services program, which the agency's website describes as 'the largest source of federal funding support for library services in the U.S.'
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In response to questions raised regarding its funding, Tom Green County Library Director Jill Donegan released a statement. Donegan said that it is 'business as usual' at the library system.
'While the discontinuation of funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is concerning, our current operations remain stable and unaffected,' Donegan said.
Donegan stated that the library system 'is fortunate to receive strong support from the county, community, an active Friends of the Library group, and other key stakeholders.'
Donegan also said the library system has learned from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission that, as of this time, the services most likely 'to be affected by the loss of IMLS funding are the interlibrary loan program (ILL) and access to the current selection of TexShare databases.'
'At this time, these are the only two services that could potentially undergo changes due to the loss of the IMLS,' Donegan said.
Donegan expressed gratitude toward the community amid nationwide uncertainty among other library systems.
'As libraries across the country are facing uncertainty, we are especially grateful to be part of a community that values and supports its public libraries,' Donegan said.
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