Federal funding cuts threaten Missouri library services

  Missouri libraries are at risk after an executive order from President Trump has stopped them from receiving reimbursements for federally funded grants.

  The order specifically cuts funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the federal organization that provides support to museums and libraries across the country. In March, the agency placed its entire staff on administrative leave after Trump appointed a new director. 

  Libraries across the state will have to limit their spending, although smaller libraries will be primarily affected. 

  The loss of funding will likely affect UMKC’s Miller Nichols Library, although they were unable to comment on what that might look like going forward. 

  Victor Williams, a student assistant at the UMKC Special Collections & Archives, said the prospect of budget cuts is frightening and means risking the jobs of important people who work there.

  “I believe libraries are an essential service, and rolling back funding to them will affect librarians and the communities they serve, too,” he said. “Losing libraries means losing community, there are so few third spaces left, and defunding libraries will strip that even more.”

  Junior communication major Shaun Stratton agreed that it’s bad for the community. 

  “Everyone should be able to go and enjoy the free public stuff. The beauty of life is free public information at your fingertips,” he said. 

  He specifically pointed out the open access to technology that libraries offer. At most places, people can use their computers without paying for them.

  “The accessibility of information and education is a human right, and nothing good will come from making those things less accessible,” said Williams. 

  The Linda Hall Library will remain relatively unaffected by the budget cut, as they are a private institution.

  However, reference assistant Aida Clark said that one of their research fellows covered by the National Endowment for the Humanities got her funding cut following the executive order. 

  The library is paying out the rest of her stipend.

  “All of us here love libraries and we hate that they’re getting cut,” she said. “But it is nice that we can continue to do library work here without worrying about the funding.”

  For more information on Missouri library budget cuts, visit this KCUR article.

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