Michigan Library Services at Risk Due to Federal Executive Order
For the past 20 years, Michigan residents have benefited from the Michigan Electronic Library (MeL) and its interlibrary loan service, MeLCat. These services make it possible for library users to access books, research materials, online resources, and databases that may not be available at their local library. However, funding for these programs is now in jeopardy.
A federal Executive Order signed on March 14, 2025, seeks to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency that provides funding for MeL and MeLCat. Without this funding, Michigan libraries may no longer be able to offer some of these valuable services as early as Fall 2025.
In 2024 alone, Michigan libraries loaned over one million books and materials through MeLCat, while MeL provided access to 19 million digital resources for students, researchers, and residents seeking reliable information on education, business, health, and more. Losing these programs would mean fewer learning opportunities and less access to essential materials for everyone in our state.
While public libraries are primarily funded by local property taxes, federal support through IMLS significantly expands the resources available to Michigan residents. Studies show that for every $1 invested in these federally funded programs, Michigan communities receive $27 in value.
We encourage library users to stay informed about this issue. You can read more about the potential impact of this funding loss in a press release from the Michigan Department of Education: