From the Desk of Yolande Wilburn

April, 2025

Federal Funding Update

Since I began my tenure as the Evanston Public Library's Executive Director, this space has become very special to me. I am committed to seeing both the library and our community grow and thrive. My goal is to ensure that EPL creates inclusive spaces where everyone can belong, learn and connect. This commitment is even stronger now. In times of uncertainty, libraries have historically become even MORE important to the communities that they serve, and this time is no different. We can weather challenges with resiliency and pride in the work that we do.  Learn more about how you can help, below.

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Executive Orders Create Federal Funding Freeze and Agency Staff Shortages

On January 27th, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo freezing all Federal funding, directing federal agencies to identify and review all federal financial assistance programs to ensure alignment with the President’s policy priorities. Several organizations have since launched legal challenges against this order, and these challenges are slowly making their way through the court system. Currently, however, federal funds remain frozen and many federal grant opportunities have been cancelled or put on hold. 

Following this Executive Order, the Department of Government Efficiency has initiated its plans to cut the federal workforce by firing thousands of federal workers and placing thousands more on administrative leave. To date, over 120,000 workers have been affected, including employees in the departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Veteran Affairs, Social Security, and Agency for International Development, to name a few. 

Impact on the Institute of Museum and Library Services

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has not been spared during this cutting. On March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order that continues the reduction in staff for Federal agencies. One of the seven agencies named in the order is the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the largest source of Federal funding for libraries. The IMLS delivers essential financial support, investigative research, and strategic policy guidance to enhance the work of libraries nationwide. Among many other projects, IMLS grants funding to the Illinois State Library, and those grant funds make up about 10% of the Illinois State Library’s total budget, or about $5,736,000 from IMLS in FY2024. 

On April 4, 2025, the Illinois Attorney General joined a coalition of attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia to file a lawsuit in the United States District Court, Rhode Island, related to federal actions involving IMLS.  You can read more about the court filing here.

Impact on EPL

We are fortunate that EPL has not traditionally relied heavily  on federal funding for our programming, but it is an important component of our budget. Federal funding is less than 1% of EPL’s total planned revenue in 2025.  However, this funding includes support for many EPL programs, including STEM programs for children and teens, library visits to senior housing buildings, and community-wide reading programs. This includes funding we had been promised from IMLS and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Additionally, many of our community partners have been seriously affected by the White House’s cuts as well, impacting our joint programs. 

EPL programs that rely on federal funding  include:

• Citywide STEM Challenges: For the past five years, EPL has received an IMLS grant through the Illinois State Library’s Project Next Generation fund to support the popular citywide STEM challenges for 5th-8th grade students, including Cardboard Carnival, Code It and Sew It challenges.  Last year, more than 200 students participated in the finale of the Cardboard Carnival. 
• ABC Boosters:  In partnership with District 65, ABC Boosters is a five-week summer program for rising kindergartners that develops literacy skills such as letter recognition and phonemic awareness.  Over 60 pre-k students at several local preschool summer schools and camps spend one-on-one with high school student mentors, who are trained and supervised by District 65 and EPL staff. 
• The Big Read:  EPL was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to provide our community with free copies of Ross Gay’s book of poetry Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, to be given away at a variety of events through June 2025. In partnership with Hive Center For The Book Arts, we are hosting events around the themes of this book of poetry, with a focus on joy and gratitude for where we live.

EPL’s Board of Trustees has committed to continuing impacted programs with current library funds, but this is not a sustainable plan over the long term.  Additionally, the recent federal funding cuts will have implications for EPL going forward into 2026.How You Can Help

Advocate

Many nationally focused organizations have shared ways for those interested in staying informed and advocating for the return of IMLS funding as individuals to do so. 

• The American Library Association has a Show Up for Our Libraries campaign, which includes tools for advocacy, opportunities to share impactful library stories, and ways to take action. One of those ways to take action is the opportunity to connect directly with legislators through their One Click tool.  

Donate

• Every donation to EPL supports valuable programs in our community. Please consider a donation today to help offset the loss of funding.
• If you’re interested in ensuring that programs supported by federal funding can continue, such as ABC Boosters and the citywide STEM challenges,  and have the capacity to sponsor a program, please contact Jennifer Shreve in the  EPL Development Department at 847-866-5947 or at jshreve@cityofevanston.org.

You Make the Difference!

A library card is a powerful tool. It can ignite limitless possibilities, inspire bold ideas, and empower every person to build a connected, inclusive community! With your donation support in 2024, EPL loaned 1,114,188 items, held  1,503 programs for adults, 598 youth programs, and welcomed over 440,017 people to our library.  Our library is a critical part of our community, and together, we can keep it strong and vibrant.