I’m sending this to the coalition, for the following reasons:
1 Despite that one particular library is highlighted (WTBBL), this will affect way too many libraries, in Pierce County, as well as all over the state.
2: Some of those that this coalition works with, are in need of the previously mentioned library. Whether Dyslexic, visually impaired/blind, or physically incapable of holding a print book, this library is our outlet, for absorbing information.
3 I owe this library, for some of my volunteer, as well as work experience.
As someone who’s considered deafblind, this is one of my major outreach programs, to help me connect with the outside world: From reading histories, to understand how the world works today, I’ve gained most of my knowledge, through this technological wonder. When I didn’t understand something in school, I dialed up the WTBBL, asking for books on the topic/subject, which was being discussed. If something personally fascinated me, I would call and ask for books about it.
For many, you can get books on Amazon. For those who use this library, who can’t afford Audible, Apple Books, Amazon, and/or other bookstores that offer fewer books for those who use Braille and/or Audio, as our primary communication in the land of reading, this isn’t just devastating, this is a form of being shut out of knowledge and experience.
Please, do not think this is dramatic? This is how many who can’t hold a book, or read average print, get our information. It’s these books, that I read for hours, making me Above Average, as a young reader.
For many children, who are just starting, this is an emotional tragedy.
For those who want to work with the blind, volunteer to read for the blind, print disabled, and physically disabled, Especially for those people with the previously mentioned limitations who work for this library, they may become unemployed.
Many of our local libraries, that work with the WTBBL, may also be shut down. This travesty, will affect all of us, whether able-bodied, or not. Especially, our homeless community.
Sincerely,
Sarah Edick-Howe, Patron Advisory Council Member: WTBBL
From: wcb-l@wcblists.org <wcb-l@wcblists.org> On Behalf Of Reginald George via wcblists.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 10:43 AM
To: wcb-l@wcblists.org
Subject: [wcb-l] Washington State Library loses $3.9 million in federal funding, impacting several libraries statewide
Here is the entire story without having to click through from King five news. Unfortunately, no one really knows what it will mean. Just something else to worry about I guess.
SEATTLE — Staff at libraries run by the state are encountering what they have feared most: Millions of dollars in federal grants are getting pulled.
Visitors and staff at Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood are feeling things out as a new chapter begins.
“That's definitely something I'm afraid of,” Shannon Curry said. “I love my job. I've worked here for 12 years, and it's been kind of my life."
Curry considers working at WTBBL as a dream job, especially for a bookworm like herself who's blind.
"It's access to books,” Curry said. “It's opening a whole world that might not otherwise be open."
But now that the library, along with several other state-run libraries, could be impacted.
"Don't love not knowing what's going to happen day to day," Curry said.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services sent a notice last week, informing the Washington State Library (WSL) its grant is being terminated effective April 1. According to the letter, this termination is to "in alignment with the agency's updated priorities and the President's Executive Order 14238, Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy, issued on March 14, 2025.”
"Shocked, flabbergasted, angry, all those things crossed my mind," said Sara Jones, the top librarian in the state, in charge of WSL. Jones said the grant was for $3.9 million. That's about one-third of the state library's annual budget of $12 million.
"I'm really struggling with how we're going to fill that hole,” Jones said. “And more importantly, how we're going to provide services that people really need."
Consequences of losing funding include six key areas in jeopardy:
These are outcomes that Jones hopes to avoid, as she pleads with the public for help.
"If people will say that their library matters and that they will tell elected officials that,” Jones said. “I think that's the way we'll do something about this."
Jones, along with another state official, sent a letter Friday to Members of the Washington state Congressional Delegation urging them to take action as they shared their concerns about the impact these cuts will have.
Larger library systems like Seattle and Sno-Isle Libraries said they primarily rely on local funding rather than federal funding. So, their services won't be significantly impacted.
KING 5 received this statement from Eric Howard, executive director, Sno-Isle Libraries:
"Libraries across the nation operate as part of a collaborative network, with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) serving as the lead federal agency supporting libraries. Recent actions have significantly disrupted IMLS operations, including an Executive Order suspending operations, decisions to terminate existing grant programs, and placing IMLS staff on paid administrative leave, resulting in halted federal support for libraries nationwide. These actions will have far-reaching consequences, especially for smaller, rural, and tribal libraries that rely heavily on federal funding.
While Sno-Isle Libraries does not directly rely on IMLS grants for daily operations, changes to IMLS would resonate throughout our interconnected library ecosystem. The IMLS provides funding support, in big and small ways, for most of the nation’s 125,000 public, school, academic, and special libraries in all 50 states. All libraries benefit from the research and work to develop innovative programs or new skills for library staff.
The library staff at IMLS makes libraries across the country better each day and helps train library staff in best practices. The Washington State Library utilizes IMLS funding to implement projects and services statewide, including digital learning and public library infrastructure. Two examples are the Washington State Talking Book and Braille Library and the WA Rural Heritage community digital archives. Both are statewide services supported by IMLS grants.”
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KING 5 received a statement from a spokesperson with Seattle Public Library:
“The Seattle Public Library is deeply concerned about the administration's decision to eliminate IMLS state block grant funding to support Washington state libraries. Multiple studies have shown that libraries provide taxpayers a strong return on investment, leading to notably improved educational and economic outcomes for the communities we serve. Considering IMLS funding represents less than .003% of the annual federal budget, and costs taxpayers about 75 cents per capita, these cuts do not appear to be an attempt to eliminate wasteful spending, but instead an attempt to limit and devalue our centers of reading, learning, and free thought for communities in Washington and elsewhere.”
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