FYI,

Sharing this with you on behalf of Jen Nelson:

A Message from NJ State Librarian, Jen Nelson

On Friday March 14, 2025, an Executive Order was issued that severely reduces the functioning of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The full implications of the order on the New Jersey State Library (NJSL) are unclear. NJSL annually receives approximately $4.5 million from IMLS. Those funds are primarily used to fund the NJ Talking Book and Braille Center, JerseyConnect (which provides core technology services to 300+ libraries), and JerseyClicks (a suite of 24 online databases), as well as several other smaller scale initiatives. NJSL is awaiting additional information from IMLS related to our federal fiscal year 2025 allocation through the recently passed Continuing Resolution.

Any changes to service levels that would be caused by a reduction or elimination of federal funding to NJSL depends first on the outcome of the Continuing Resolution. We expect to know the outcome by mid-April. Second, changes are subject to federal decisions related to the statutory nature of the Grants to States program, which is the source of our annual allotment. We hope to have this information in the next 7-10 days.

In the meantime, NJSL is reviewing our various funding sources and priorities, and engaging in scenario planning to determine the full impact of any reduction or elimination of federal funding. We will not be speculating about what the impact could be and will provide additional factual information as it becomes available.

If you would like to discuss the situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am also happy to attend meetings to address staff, trustees or other interested parties. I can be reached at ...@njstatelib.org" style="color: #2199e8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">jnel...@njstatelib.org or 609-278-2640 x101.

 All the best,