The proposed FY2018 Federal Budget eliminates the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This includes $155 million for library services to every state and territory in the country through a population-based formula grant program.
What is the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)?
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and approximately 35,000 museums. Their mission has been to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. For the past 20 years, their grant making, policy development, and research has helped libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive.
How does IMLS funding help the Lanpher Memorial Library?
The Vermont Department of Libraries receives funding from IMLS and uses the funding in a variety of ways to support Vermont Public Libraries, including the Lanpher Memorial Library. Vermont is one of the few states that does not give direct funding to Public Libraries. Therefore, the funding received by IMLS is one of the ways the VT. Dept. of Libraries makes sure local Public Libraries offer quality services that will have a positive impact in our communities. Moreover, if this funding were to go away we would lose access to services that we provide to our patrons and community. Alternatively, we would have to absorb the costs at the local level, which means increasing our Library Budget and local taxes to cover the costs.
- Interlibrary Loan: If we do not have the book, DVD, audio, or text you are looking for, we can submit a request to borrow it from any other library in the state (including academic libraries). IMLS funding supports our Interlibrary Loan costs through the VT Dept. of Libraries who distributes the funding and covers 50% of the costs of our delivery service.
- Universal Class: Lanpher Memorial Library Patrons can take free online classes through Universal Class. (see page to the left on this website) Our patrons have taken the online classes to help them update computer skills so that they can be eligible for more available jobs; taken a class about interviewing skills when they were unexpectedly back on the job hunt; updated their knowledge about Greek Mythology so they could keep up with their child's obsession with the "Percy Jackson" books; gained information to understand how they could begin planning for retirement; learned about the rights and responsibilities of becoming a landlord before buying a property in Hyde Park. Patrons come in to get Library Cards with us SPECIFICALLY so they can take Universal Classes as recommended by the VT Dept. of Labor, or their probation officer, or their therapist.
- Vermont Online Library: (VOL) vtonlinelib.org (see page to the left on this website) VOL is a huge collection of databases, organized by topic and age level. In a time when it's not always easy to find reliable sources on the internet, these databases offer a wealth of articles, journals, papers, and other publications complete with a bibliography and can be used for any kind of research. Biography, Business, Medicine, Agriculture, Culinary, Gardening, Science, Law review, Physical Therapy, History, Psychology, Languages, Religion...and even Chilton's Manuals! This valuable tool can assist with research of all kinds, AND if you have trouble reading print, all of the articles have audio options, so you can listen to them instead!
- Summer Reading Program: The Lanpher Memorial Library relies on the resources provided to us through the VT Dept. of Libraries and IMLS to join the nationwide Summer Reading campaigns each year for children, young adults and adults. This year the theme for all age categories is "Build a Better World"! We look forward to the summer as we use this theme to build, learn, create and read more about it.
- Vermont Early Literacy Initiative, Science Technology Engineering and Math (VELI STEM) In 2015, the Vermont Dept. of Libraries and the Vermont Center for the Book with consultation from the Montshire Museum of Science, were awarded funding through IMLS National Leadership Grant for Libraries. The Lanpher Memorial Library was selected to be one of the 26 libraries in Vermont to participate. VELI STEM focuses on how we can integrate early literacy and STEM concepts into our programming for children, parents/caregivers and childcare providers. After 3 years, the work that we do to build a STEM curriculum specific to public libraries, will be a model for replication in other libraries around the United States. As part of VELI STEM, we provide outreach and resources for parent/caregiver and childcare provider training. Being part of this innovative program is of great benefit to introduce STEM concepts with our youngest community members and those who care for them. Look for more information and pictures of some of our STEM ideas on our Children's Corner page of this website.
http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2017/03/president-s-budget-proposal-eliminate-federal-library-funding
https://www.imls.gov/news-events/news-releases/institute-museum-and-library-services-issues-statement-presidents-proposed
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