Latest Developments

In the most recent episode of How to Dismantle Public Services in 12 Easy Steps, it has been revealed that a Trump executive order aimed at libraries is having tangible consequences. According to a report by the AP published over the weekend, libraries across the nation are being forced to cut programs that provide ebooks, audiobooks, and other loan services. These programs experienced a significant surge in popularity following the pandemic, with over 660 million people worldwide utilizing them in 2023 — marking a 19 percent increase from the previous year.

Background

The cuts and reduction in grants are a direct result of a Trump executive order issued on March 14, targeting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The president’s appointee, Keith E. Sonderling, who was tasked with heading the agency, promptly indicated that he would carry out the president’s directives. He placed the entire IMLS staff on administrative leave, issued termination notices to the majority of them, canceled grants and contracts, and dismissed all members of the National Museum and Library Services Board.

Current Situation

Federal judges have temporarily blocked the administration’s attempt to further dismantle the IMLS. However, while lawsuits from 21 states and the American Library Association are making their way through the courts, the agency’s federal funding remains frozen. As a result, libraries are struggling to adapt to the new circumstances.

Impact on Libraries

If you have ever utilized your local library to borrow an ebook or audiobook through apps like Libby or Hoopla, it is likely that federal funding played a significant role in making that possible. Libraries acquire digital leases for ebooks and audiobooks from publishers, which enables them to lend titles to patrons. These leases are typically more expensive than physical copies and must be renewed after a set period or number of checkouts.

Consequences

With the surge in digital borrowing, those federal funds have been instrumental in keeping the programs operational. Mississippi has indefinitely suspended its Hoopla-based lending program. The IMLS, which was established in 1996 by a Republican-controlled US Congress, has an annual budget of less than $300 million, with nearly half of that amount allocated to state libraries. These state libraries, in turn, help fund local libraries’ digital lending programs. According to Rebecca Wendt, California’s state library director, "The small library systems are not able to pay for the ebooks themselves," as stated in an interview with the AP.

Original Source

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/us-libraries-cut-ebook-and-audiobook-lending-programs-following-trump-executive-order-205113868.html?src=rss