Residents of Vergennes, Vt. gathered in front of the Bixby Public Library on Saturday, April 12 to protest nationwide funding cuts to public libraries. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 14 significantly shrinking the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which provides critical funding for programs like interlibrary loans, grants and digital literacy initiatives. The Trump administration also called for the institute’s elimination “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law,” and on March 31, the IMLS placed all of its approximately 70 employees on administrative leave.
Smaller, rural areas like Addison County will be hit particularly hard by cuts to this funding, as much of the annual $280 million in grants that the IMLS distributes to libraries and museums goes towards providing programming and services — such as library assistance for the blind, high-speed internet access or high school test prep — that do not otherwise exist in remote areas.
In response, communities in Vergennes and Montepelier have made their voices heard by organizing protests outside their local libraries. The Vergennes protest was organized by Vergennes resident Pat Lotz and a group of local women who attend virtual workshops hosted by Indivisible, a progressive organization dedicated to connecting individuals nationwide and empowering local action against the Trump administration. The workshops helped inspire the group to organize the protests.
“The things that Trump is cutting are very small portions of the federal budget, but a very large part of services that help people,” Lotz said. “So we see what he's doing and, yeah, it hurts us. And so this is where we've gotta fight back.”
Despite the rain on Saturday, protesters of all ages gathered together in Vergennes, with some even travelling in from Burlington. The group remained outside for nearly two hours and were supported by honks and cheers from passing cars.
Lotz shared specific information about the potential impacts of the funding cuts.
“Those grants affect the interlibrary transportation of books, which is a huge part of every library: sharing books and sharing information,” Lotz told The Campus. “It's an efficient way for these libraries to work because not every small library can buy every book that they should have on the shelves.”
Digital literacy programs are also at risk. These programs help older adults learn computer and internet skills and provide access to computers for children who don’t have them at home.
While Bixby Library was at the center of Saturday’s protest, libraries across Vermont are feeling the impact of these cuts. The Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury is also facing challenges, according to Library Director Dana Hart. Although Ilsley receives less direct funding from IMLS than Bixby does, it still utilizes more modest grants from the agency for its summer programming. While Ilsley’s concerns are not as immediate or severe, there is growing unease around how the cuts will impact the library’s overall efficiency and services.
“With interlibrary loans, we could afford to pay the full courier cost if we had to,” Hart said. “However, many, many libraries in Vermont could not afford to participate in the interlibrary loan system without support from the state. And so if the majority of libraries drop out of that program and there's only a few of us left, there's not much point.”
As libraries navigate an uncertain future, community members can support them through donations, spreading awareness, contacting lawmakers or participating in public demonstrations like the one in Vergennes.
“Clearly, our nation's leadership doesn't understand the role that public libraries play in many many people's lives. And if we can communicate that clearly, the value that we place on it and why libraries are essential, I think being an advocate is the most that we can ask of our patrons. That's such a wonderful gift that community members can give us,” Hart said.
Violet Wexler '28 (she/her) is a Local News Editor.
Violet has previously served as a staff writer. She is majoring in Political Science and intending to minor in Russian and Psychology. Outside of The Campus, she works with MIDDvotes, hosts a radio show with WRMC, and helps out in the admissions office. Last summer, she was on campus at Middlebury assisting with political science research!
