BOISE, ID — Following the trend of libraries and institutions across the United States, the Idaho Commission for Libraries is developing contingency plans as it faces the potential cessation of federal grant funding.   

State Librarian Stephanie Bailey-White informed the commission during a special meeting that the Idaho Talking Books service, a long-standing program for individuals with visual and reading disabilities, could be in jeopardy if federal funding is lost.   

During their meeting last Friday, the commission unanimously approved the use of up to $300,000 from the Library Services Improvement Funds to cover personnel costs in the event that federal financial support is not received in a timely manner.

In an interview with the Idaho Press following the meeting, Bailey-White stated that the commission had received notification that it would receive the next 30 days of grant funding for the current fiscal year. However, the funding situation for the commission in the next fiscal year remains uncertain.   

Bailey-White explained that President Donald Trump issued an executive order in March aimed at dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which has consistently supported state library agencies for the past six decades.   

“There is broad bipartisan support for this funding,” she noted in the interview, adding that it has been “a stable source of funding for libraries across the country.”

The IMLS has reportedly furloughed nearly all of its staff, leading to disruptions in the disbursement of already approved funding to state agencies.   

In response, twenty state attorneys general, led by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, have filed a lawsuit arguing that the executive order unconstitutionally infringes on Congress’s authority over federal spending. A hearing on the case is scheduled for next week.

Approximately 28% of the commission’s budget is supported by grants administered by the IMLS through the Library Services and Technology Act. If this funding is eliminated, the commission would be forced to cut 10 positions related to the Talking Books service, as well as some early literacy programs.

“There are a lot of moving pieces for us as an agency right now, and we’ve had numerous meetings with HR, with fiscal, looking at different scenarios,” Bailey-White told the commissioners. “It’s definitely a challenging time.”

The Talking Books service, which has been operating for over 50 years, serves approximately 3,200 Idaho residents. If federal support ceases, the service could be suspended at least until the next legislative session, during which the commission would need to request state funding for the program or seek authority to reallocate other program funds.

Meanwhile, the commission is moving forward with only half of its requested funding for the ‘Digital Access for All Idahoans’ grant. This is due to the state budget authority approving only half of the requested expenditure authority for these federal funds this year.   

The commission had requested expenditure authority for the full $2.5 million in federal funds, but the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved approximately $1.2 million after an unsuccessful attempt to eliminate the funding entirely.

This budget reduction will lead to the elimination of one position associated with the grant program, which aims to expand internet access and digital literacy skills for Idahoans facing barriers to internet access. The program supports activities in local libraries such as digital skills training, cybersecurity education, tech support, and device lending.   

“This particular project focuses on the ‘human side’ of internet access,” Bailey-White emphasized.

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