Become a Library Advocate

Public libraries – and your freedom to read and access information in your local library – are under renewed threat from budget cuts on the state level and attacks on government institutions on the federal level.

Your voice is needed to let our state and federal representatives know that libraries are an integral part of an informed and prosperous community and that library funding is crucial to bringing programs and services to all.

Please click on the links below to advocate for your library, and libraries nationwide.

To receive e-mail alerts when your action is needed to act on behalf of libraries, provide your information below. Advocating for your library services is quick, simple and timely, and there is no cost to you.

Defend IMLS Now!

On March 14, 2025, the President signed an Executive Order advancing elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which provides vital funding to libraries nationwide. Demand that Congress act to defend IMLS now! Fill out this form to be heard.

Advocacy Questions Answered

What is the IMLS? How does the potential elimination of Federal E-Rate program funding affect internet access for schools and libraries? What is the New York State Library, what does it do and how will its elimination affect our local libraries?

CLICK FOR ADVOCACY INFORMATION

ALA’s Statement on the Elimination of IMLS

Read the American Library Association’s statement on the termination of IMLS grants. Please contact you state and federal representative and urge them to continue to fund libraries across the nation. We need your support!

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION'S STATEMENT ON THE TERMINATION OF IMLS GRANTS

Contact Your Congressman

To learn more about the IMLS and federal E-Rate funding and to send a letter to our local Congressional representative, download our patron letter template. (Please be sure to add date and your name and address before printing.)

CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN

2025 Legislative Session

The 2025 Legislative Session is in full swing and New York’s library community needs your help to secure key budgetary and legislative wins in the coming months. Learn more about important library legislation and what’s at stake.

2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION INFORMATION

Tell Congress Not to Defund Libraries!

In this section, you'll find information and tools to use when contacting your federal representatives to advocate for library funding. A sample email template is provided to use on the representative's contact form, or you can write your own.

The Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS) is a federal agency that supports and funds many of the crucial community services libraries provide; things like e-books, summer reading, cultural programming, technology, job and career resources, and funding of critical library infrastructure projects all are supported by these Federal funds. Cuts would put all of these services at risk.
Eliminating the Federal IMLS and defunding libraries would have a lasting negative impact on our communities and force libraries in Suffolk County to address service cuts.
While only representing 0.003% of the Federal budget, the IMLS has an outsized impact on libraries across the United States. New York State alone receives over $8 million in funding from IMLS which comes to Suffolk County’s libraries through State aid, construction funding, technology support, compliance assistance, and through many important initiatives that assist library users all across Suffolk County.

Sample Email Template (Optional wording when contacting representatives through their online contact form)

Dear [NAME]:

I am writing as one of the over 800,000 Suffolk County residents who utilize the services of Suffolk County’s public libraries to ask you to ensure funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is continued undisrupted.

Last year Suffolk residents like me visited our public libraries more than 6.6 million times and over 1.5 million Suffolk residents attended a program at their local library. Libraries continue to thrive as community centers and as social support organizations connecting people to a wide variety of resources that meet many needs. Defunding the IMLS could have serious consequences for our libraries here in Suffolk County. New York State receives approximately $8.1 million in IMLS funding to support statewide initiatives and services that benefit Suffolk libraries and the communities they serve.

We ask that you NOT defund libraries so they can continue providing vital services to their communities.

While only representing 0.003% of the federal budget, the IMLS has an outsized impact on library and museum services across the United States. Thanks in part to IMLS funding, libraries are able to provide services to patrons that allow them to advance their education, access media, find employment, engage in professional development, and become active in their community in a welcoming and safe environment.

If Congress does not adequately fund IMLS, we risk jeopardizing Suffolk County libraries’ ability to meet the needs of their communities and advance educational and economic opportunity for all Suffolk County residents.

Your support for funding the Institute of Museum and Library Services translates to support for local libraries and support for the needs of your constituents.

Sincerely,

More Information

Public Libraries, Publishers & your Ebooks

Publishers charge libraries significantly more for ebooks and audiobooks than print copies of the same book.

"But digital books have to be cheaper, like on Amazon, right?"

Actually, no. Libraries pay much more for ebooks and audiobooks than you would pay for a digital or physical book.

This means we can't purchase as many copies!

Some publishers restrict how long a book is available or the number of times it can be borrowed. We then need to repurchase the title so it stays available.

We often can't buy many new books since we need to constantly repurchase the high-demand books from publishers.

For more information on this topic click here.