Click on the image to learn how Saint Paul Public Library is funded.
The goal of advocacy work is to ensure a strong level of public investment in a particular cause. The Friends engages citizens and elected officials to support and sustain public investment in the library.
The majority of our advocacy work is at the local level with the City of Saint Paul. Sometimes we call on constituents like you to contact your city councilmember, sign a petition, or attend a meeting. Your voice as a citizen is critical to show our legislators that residents value their library.
Advocacy Updates
At the national level, new approaches to federal government are leading to significant changes in the library field. Most recently, all staff at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) were placed on administrative leave (March 31). This follows an Executive Order about the IMLS designed to “eliminate [the agency] to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law” (March 14) and the dismissal of Colleen Shogan as the National Archivist (February 7).
These changes will inevitably affect our public libraries. While public libraries do not depend on the IMLS for the majority of their funding, the .003% of the federal budget that goes to the IMLS supports critical grants, resource sharing, and special library efforts that are essential to public library services. Anticipated cuts to other federal government agencies will also impact library services.
The Friends is part of a broad national network that includes professional associations, advocacy organizations, and local networks. We remain committed to our purpose: advocate, fundraise, and produce programs that advance our vision for a dynamic library at the heart of every community.
Actions you can take:
- Learn more about what the IMLS does and how federal funding reaches and supports library services.
- Visit a local library to say THANK YOU to a library staff member. I promise, it will mean a lot during this time of deep uncertainty and change.
This update contains context and information related to the March 14, 2025 White House Executive Order “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy” that calls for the elimination to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Background and Context
The IMLS is an independent federal agency that supports libraries, archives, and museums in all 50 states and U.S. territories. It is separate from the Library of Congress, which is an agency of the legislative branch of the U.S. Government.
Public libraries do not depend on the IMLS for the majority of their funding. Public libraries receive most of their funding through local, county or state taxes (this is true in Saint Paul, where the city library levy accounts for more than 90% of the library’s $24M budget). The philanthropic dollars raised by The Friends typically fund new programs and services, innovation, and special projects, allowing the library to be flexible and nimble in ways that public dollars cannot.
That said, federal funding is critically important to how we all use and experience our public library, and the impact of funding cuts or agency elimination will be far reaching and painful. Right now, federal dollars pay for many things including (but not limited to):
- Library e-rates (discounts for telecommunications, internet access, and internal connections to schools and libraries). SPPL receives $67,638 in annual e-rate subsidies. These subsidized rates make it possible for libraries to afford robust internet access for library patrons, many of whom rely on the public library as their primary or only access to technology and connection.
- LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act): the largest federal appropriation for libraries, these grants are funded and administered by IMLS. SPPL has received grants totaling more than $234,000 from LSTA, including a current grant to increase the use of Library Go cards of elementary school students and families in Saint Paul.
- Resource Sharing (Minitex): IMLS funding pays for the regional and statewide circulation of physical library materials and free online materials via eLibrary Minnesota.
- MN Braille and Talking Book Library: nearly 10,000 Minnesotans depend on the resources of this library for blind and visually impaired individuals.
More than 125,000 public, school, academic and special libraries in the United States serve more than 1.2 billion people every year. Library funding represents 0.003% of the federal budget.
Advocacy
EveryLibrary is a nonpartisan, pro-library organization that is working with the field’s professional association (the American Library Association) to circulate a petition in support of the IMLS. The Friends encourages support for any effort to preserve, support, and increase funding and policies that benefit public libraries and the people who use our libraries every day.
The Friends will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates and send advocacy requests as necessary.
On February 26, members of The Friends joined Saint Paul Public Library staff to meet with legislators and talk about the importance of libraries and library funding at the state level. Our messages included:
- Gratitude for last year's funding increase
- Support for additional funding for library construction projects
- Support for the option to ban guns from libraries and rec centers
- Delivering Read Brave books and Laser Loon library cards!
This year, you showed up at the Capitol, contacted your legislators, and attended meetings with city council members. Thanks to you, libraries had a good year.
- The state legislature increased funding for libraries across Minnesota.
- The Friends secured state funding for our work as the Minnesota Center for the Book with the help of our state legislators.
- Saint Paul City Council approved a budget that includes substantial investment in safety initiatives for our libraries and additional money for library materials (the stuff we check out!).
On February 28, 2023, libraries and library support organizations across the state met with their elected officials at the Capitol to advocate for strong library funding. Learn more about this important day and The Friends' role here.
On August 23, Mayor Carter delivered his annual Library Budget Address at Riverview Library. He lifted up libraries as centers for our community and commended the work of library staff over the past three years. His proposed library budget includes:
- Shifting all staff positions restored in 2022 to the city's general fund. These positions were initially funded with American Rescue Plan dollars, which is not a permanent funding source.
- Adding the equivalent of two full time employees (FTE) to the Library Community Specialists team. These new positions will work with and are part of the Hmong and Black communities and will join the existing specialists for the Somali, Karen, and Latino communities.
- Adding Career Lab staff to the general fund that was previously grant-funded.
- A modest increase to the collections budget.
- These proposed funding initiatives are in addition to $1.5 million in federal funding to address library public safety allocated earlier this summer. The library is already working on plans to put this funding to work.
Watch the Mayor's full Budget Address here.
Next steps: The Friends has an active Advocacy Committee made up of staff, trustees, and community members. We will work closely with the City Council to support the Mayor's proposed budget.
Still need a lawn sign? Contact us.
Friends President Beth Burns authored a piece on Sunday, May 29, 2022 in support of Saint Paul Public Library's upcoming Transforming Libraries project. Read or download the full piece here.
Saint Paul Public Library is co-creating a vision to transform library spaces in Saint Paul to meet the wants and needs of community members now and for the next generation. The library is currently planning major renovations for three well-loved and well-worn library branches: Hayden Heights, Riverview, and Hamline Midway, as well as system-wide investments in technology and play and learn spaces. Learn about the vision and how to lend your voice here.
Public investment is already planned to support these projects, including $8.1 million for Hamline Midway. We'll share other opportunities for you to advocate for more public funding here as they come up.
About Local Advocacy: City of Saint Paul
How Funding Works
The Saint Paul Public Library is a department of the City of Saint Paul. For Saint Paul residents, a portion of their tax dollars goes toward library funding.
Advocacy Efforts
Each year, The Friends works with the Saint Paul Public Library to determine funding priorities and puts together a platform based on those needs. The Friends advocacy committee then presents that platform to the Mayor and City Council to request that the Library funding priorities are part of the City’s annual budget.
Contact us to learn how you can get involved with this important work.
