Trustees' Letter Regarding Executive Order 14238
May 8th, 2025
Residents of Lowell
On March 14th, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14238 targeting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for funding cuts. The IMLS is the single largest source of federal funding for libraries nationwide. Massachusetts receives about$3.6 million in support through the IMLS each year.
Here is what the Pollard Memorial Library and all MA libraries stand to lose without the support of the IMLS.Â
E–books and Audiobooks – Library eBooks and Audiobooks (LEA) is a lending program which allows the patrons of one network to check out eBooks and Audiobooks from the collection of another network. Every Massachusetts resident can now access a huge collection of over 1,000,000 items! This is entirely paid for through IMLS funding and will likely be discontinued if there is a cut.
Databases – The statewide database program provides critical access to research databases that no community or school system could afford on its own. In the state of Massachusetts an average of 60% of database usage comes from schools. Lowell residents’ usage of statewide databases has been growing exponentially over the past few years, with over 38,000 visits this year. The most used databases in Lowell are Pebble Go and Encyclopedia Britannica, options specifically geared for preschool and school aged children.
InterLibrary Loan– On average Massachusetts library users get close to 7,500 items – including books, DVDs, CDs, magazines – through interlibrary loan each month. So far this year, Lowell’s library has received371 items requested by patrons from libraries beyond our consortiumandalsoshipped296 to other libraries within the state.
Grants – These grants offer financial support for programs such as English language learning, entrepreneurship, local history projects, and accessibility programs. Each of these programs is critical to Lowell, with its diverse population and unique history. Due to the impact of cuts to IMLS, Lowell’s library has already had one grant rescinded that was meant to support our New Readers and World Languages collections.
Historically libraries have been spaces of learning and scholarship. While this continues to be true across the nation, libraries have also become hubs of their communities, especially here in Lowell. For the children of Lowell, and in particular those who attend local public schools, K-8, this is the only library available to service them. Lowell is lucky to have the amazing Pollard Memorial Library and its incredibly hard-working staff. Despite an already tight budget, the Pollard Library is able to have a deep impact on the Lowell community.
The Trustees of the Pollard Memorial Library ask our Federal, State, City leaders and all Lowellians to support the Pollard Memorial Library and all libraries as they come under attack by the federal government, most specifically through the proposed cuts to IMLS. Any cut to library support is a threat to our community.
Here are some things you can do to help our Library:
-Take action for libraries, sign ALA’s petition to save IMLS and contact government officials to encourage them to continue to fight for library support online at https://action.everylibrary.org/saveimls2025.
-Continue to use or increase your usage of the library, its services, and programs to show how important our library is to our community!
-Follow/Share/Like the Lowell Library on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.
Signed,
Trustees of the Pollard Memorial Library
Donna Richards, Chair
Ellen Anstey
Judith Davidson
Suzanne Frechette
Helen Littlefield
Courtney McSparron
Jack Moynihan
Christine O’Connor