Re: Will you sign the petition to protect libraries and museums?

Our country's 125,000 libraries and 35,000 museums deserve more, not less support.

35,000 MoveOn members have already signed the petition to protect our libraries and museums from Trump's cuts. Will you join them by adding your name? Dear fellow MoveOn member, Libraries and museums across the country are bracing for cuts from the Trump administration, putting critical local programs, services, and community spaces in peril. The public pressure to fight back against these cuts is working, but we have to keep it up. Funding for libraries and museums represents a minuscule portion of the federal budget—despite having an outsized impact on everyday Americans' ability to access books, history, and art. But the Trump administration's reckless attempts to roll back funding threaten critical services, from programs for children to even telehealth services. Thankfully, a federal judge just issued a preliminary injunction—a temporary pause on Trump's actions—after 21 states sued to challenge these cuts to the budgets of agencies like the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which provides support to public libraries and museums.1 The Trump administration is feeling the heat—and now's the perfect moment for us all to speak up and make it clear that we won't accept any cuts to these cultural and academic institutions that serve millions of Americans every day. Add your name to the petition NOW! Libraries provide critical services like internet access, summer reading programs, and small business support that are often hard or impossible to access, especially in rural communities. And public museums make it possible for anyone to experience art and history that shape our culture. Already, cuts to the IMLS have been disastrous. More than 60 people were fired, leaving the agency with just 12 staff, and 1,000 grants were terminated—leading to a lawsuit by the American Library Association and other advocacy groups.2 And they aren't just using the budget to attack libraries. Trump unceremoniously fired the first Black person and first woman to occupy the role of Librarian of Congress: Carla Hayden, who was just a year away from finishing her 10-year term.3 Her dismissal marks the administration's latest attempt to punish public servants who prioritize diversity and equity in their work. A judge has blocked further cuts to the IMLS for now, but we need to ensure that Congress restores all funding and protects access to libraries and museums. Will you sign the petition? Americans have appreciated and relied on public libraries and museums for generations. Together, we can ensure that remains the case for decades to come. Thanks for all you do. –Sarah F., MoveOn member P.S. See my earlier email below for more background on why IMLS is so essential. Sources: 1. "Advocates 'encouraged' by ruling to stop federal cuts to program for libraries, museums," Detroit Free Press, May 8, 2025 https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/05/07/michigan-library-advocates-federal-cuts-libraries-museum/83491125007/ 2. Ibid. 3. "Trump abruptly fires Librarian of Congress," NBC News, May 9, 2025 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-abruptly-fires-librarian-congress-rcna205749 Trump is defunding libraries and museums nationwide—sign the petition to fight back! Dear fellow MoveOn member, One month ago, Donald Trump launched an outright attack on federal funding for libraries and museums with his executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), as well as six other agencies.4 IMLS is the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services and supporting museums, and the Trump administration's decision to defund it is terrifying not only for librarians but for Americans as a whole. This will have a direct impact on people across the country who rely on libraries and museums as vital community anchors, especially the state and local ones that these cuts will hit the hardest. As a public librarian for 10 years who spent much of my time providing outreach to senior citizens, I know firsthand how meaningful libraries are for our communities. Will you join me by signing my petition to protect these necessary spaces? Our libraries are one of the few "third spaces" that remain, meaning they're not home or the workplace where any member of the community can go for free. Libraries are often the only place where neighbors know they can cool down on a hot day, access the internet, and find enriching entertainment for their children. And museums are not only centers for education and inspiration but also successful economic engines that create jobs, drive tourism, and strengthen local economies. These beloved and trusted institutions serve young people, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans—all Americans. Putting them on the chopping block is deeply reckless and short-sighted. Our country's 125,000 libraries and 35,000 museums deserve more, not less support. Will you sign my petition to tell the Trump administration and lawmakers to NOT defund our libraries and museums? Do not defund our libraries and museums! This is about more than books—people depend on librarians to help them bridge the digital divide that affects our world. Federal funding for libraries helps pay for things like workforce development training and bolsters essential services like computer and internet access in rural communities.5 Pulling this support could even jeopardize crucial literacy development and reading programs. Trump's move to eliminate the IMLS is also deeply unpopular, as 96% of Americans support maintaining or increasing federal museum funding.6 This is just another example of the inefficiency of Elon Musk's so-called DOGE agency. It's not about actually saving money. The IMLS represents just 0.0046% of the federal budget, while museums generate $50 billion in economic impact.7 All of us will feel the impact of these cuts, and that especially goes for vulnerable populations, like unhoused Americans and those living in rural communities. Federal funding for libraries supports braille and talking books for people with visual impairments, veterans' telehealth spaces, and employment assistance for job seekers.8 Without this core federal funding for libraries and museums, we risk losing critical programs and services in every state. This is the time to make our voices heard. Join me in demanding support for libraries and museums nationwide. Sign my petition to the Trump administration and lawmakers now! Thanks for all you do. –Sarah F., MoveOn member Sources: 4. "FAQ: Executive Order Targeting IMLS," American Library Association, March 18, 2025 https://www.ala.org/faq-executive-order-targeting-imls 5. "Federal agency responsible for library and museum funding gets a visit from DOGE," NPR, March 20, 2025 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/20/nx-s1-5335600/library-museum-funding-doge-sonderling 6. "AAM Statement on the Executive Order, Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy," American Alliance of Museums, March 17, 2025 https://www.aam-us.org/2025/03/17/aam-statement-on-the-executive-order-continuing-the-reduction-of-the-federal-bureaucracy 7. Ibid. 8. "ALA statement on White House assault on the Institute of Museum and Library Services," American Library Association, March 15, 2025 https://www.ala.org/news/2025/03/ala-statement-white-house-assault-institute-museum-and-library-services You're receiving this petition because we thought it might interest you. It was created on MoveOn.org, where anyone can start their own online petitions. You can start your own petition here. Want to support our work? 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