Take Action! Help Secure Federal Funding for Libraries in FY 2027

The federal budget process is underway, and early advocacy is already shaping congressional priorities. One of the first opportunities to demonstrate support comes through “Dear Appropriator” letters—requests from members of Congress to the Appropriations Committees, signed by multiple lawmakers, urging strong federal funding for specific programs. According to the American Library Association (ALA), library champions in the House have exceeded last year’s number of signatures on the letter supporting the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)—an encouraging sign of momentum for libraries.

Now, attention turns to the Senate where letters supporting LSTA and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program are now circulating. LSTA funding, through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), supports statewide services like MeL and MeLCat, along with workforce development, broadband access, and early literacy initiatives. IAL provides critical support to high-need school libraries working to address ongoing literacy challenges.

We encourage you to contact your Senators and urge them to sign both letters by the April 17 deadline. Each signature helps demonstrate strong public support for library funding.

ALA anticipates there will be significant cuts to library funding in the federal administration's budget proposal (expected later this spring). Library advocates must stay engaged. Stay tuned—MLA will continue to share updates and opportunities to take action as the budget process unfolds.

TAKE ACTION: The Senate Must Support Federal Library Funding!

Urge your U.S. Senators to sign onto the “Dear Appropriator” letters in support of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), operated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program, administered within the Department of Education.

TAKE ACTION