Immediate Advocacy Action to Protect Funding for MeL/MelCat
As the Advocacy Committee prepares to kick off what we expect to be a very active year politically this Fall, we are writing today to share an immediate action you can take today to support federal funding for IMLS. We strongly encourage members who live in the Second District of Michigan, represented by Congressman John Moolenaar, to reach out directly to his office and communicate the importance of IMLS funds. John Moolenaar is on the Appropriations Committee, and Congress will consider library funding in September, which gives us time to advocate now.
Please see the sample text below to use when contacting John Moolenaar, adapted from ALA’s IMLS Advocacy campaign. We encourage you to add personal anecdotes to showcase the impact of IMLS funding on your library. For members not represented by Moolenaar, we encourage joining ALA’s Advocacy efforts to protect IMLS funding.
Call Script:
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m a constituent from [YOUR ADDRESS] and I’m calling to urge Representative John Moolenaar to support libraries and protect the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
On March 14, President Trump issued an executive order to eliminate I-M-L-S. If this order is allowed to stand, it will hurt millions of Americans who rely on our libraries. A June 2025 poll from the Michigan Library Association shows that 79% of respondents approve of Michigan libraries’ work, up from 71% in 2023. I-M-L-S makes a real difference for Americans every day. In Michigan, I-M-L-S funding supports programs such as MeL and MelCat, which increase access to information for Michiganders and allow our academic libraries to connect students with resources that support their learning.
I urge you to overturn the executive order and continue funding for I-M-L-S in the next fiscal year.
Email Script:
Subject: Protect the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Dear Representative John Moolenaar,
As your constituent, I urge you to oppose the White House's attempt to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency that ensures every community has access to library funding.
Despite libraries (of all types) receiving only 0.003% of the federal budget, libraries provide free, impartial resources that serve everyone. Eliminating IMLS would be a devastating blow to essential community services. A June 2025 poll from the Michigan Library Association of over 800 voters in Michigan shows that 79% of respondents approve of Michigan libraries’ work, up from 71% in 2023. IMLS makes a real difference for Americans every day. In Michigan, IMLS funding supports programs such as MeL and MelCat, which increase access to information for Michiganders and allow our academic libraries to connect students with resources that support their learning.
I oppose any effort to defund IMLS and urge you to use your position in Congress to protect IMLS funding in the next fiscal year. Please protect our libraries at the federal level.
Sincerely.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
Thank you,
MiALA Advocacy Committee