Updates Impacting the State Library
Executive Orders Impacting the State Library
On Tuesday, January 21, the current administration issued the Executive Order "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity." We are monitoring the impact of this directive.
The State Library remains committed to all the values expressed in the 2023-27 LSTA Five-Year Plan, the agency’s 2023-26 Strategic Plan, and our general vision, mission, and values. That commitment includes our dedication to advancing anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion, as called for in the State of Oregon Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan.
On Friday, March 14, the current administration issued the Executive Order for "Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy" that includes the agency that provides Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) funding for the State Library, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The order calls on seven agencies to develop and submit plans within seven days to the Office of Management and Budget on reducing their function and personnel to the "minimum presence and function required by law."
Effective Friday, March 28, Oregon Department of Education (ODE) received formal notification from the U.S. Department of Education that the agency’s more than $2.5-million COVID-era, congressionally appropriated dollars to help teachers improve student’s literacy and math skills were terminated. Tuesday, April 1, ODE put out a press release addressing the Impact of Federal Cuts on Student Learning Projects at the Oregon Department of Education.
On Monday, March 31, staff of IMLS were put on administrative leave. We know things are changing at the federal level. We are still seeking answers for impact on Oregonians.
On Friday, April 4 The State of Oregon, alongside 19 other states, is seeking a temporary restraining order against the current administration's March 31, 2025 action placing nearly all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) staff on administrative leave. The motion is supported by written testimony from Oregon's State Librarian, Wendy Cornelisen, detailing the effects of the IMLS shutdown on the State Library of Oregon and local libraries in Oregon. Friday, April 4 Oregon Department of Just (DOJ) put out a press release announcing Multi-state Coalition Suing to Stop Dismantling of Federal Agencies That Support Libraries, Museums, Minority-Owned Businesses, and Workers. Tuesday, April 8 the State Library put out a press release addressing direct impacts on Oregon Libraries and Oregonians The State of Oregon Part of Multi-state Coalition Suing to Stop Dismantling of Federal Agencies That Support Libraries and Museums.
What We Know
LSTA is a statutorily required program of IMLS.
The $2.5M annual block grant to the State Library of Oregon is part of the national Grants to States program.
HR 1968, the continuing resolution passed by Congress on March 14, 2025, appears to leave IMLS’s
federal fiscal year 2025 funding steady at 2024 levels.
This funding represents roughly 25% of the State Library's overall budget, including a number of services used by libraries across Oregon.
Two-thirds of Library Support staff, including consultants who advise on public libraries, children's and teen services, early literacy, digital equity, continuing education, community outreach, reference services, school libraries, intellectual freedom, digitization, and public library data.
The Statewide Database Licensing Program, which includes statewide access to the Gale suite of electronic resources as well as subsidies to academic libraries to purchase more appropriate content for their needs.
Statewide access to iREAD Summer Reading Programs for all public libraries.
Northwest Digital Heritage, which aggregates digital collections from libraries, museums, and other institutions around the Pacific Northwest and makes them searchable in one place.
Various grant programs including annual competitive grants, teen internship grants, and other opportunities.
Statewide and regional projects such as the Sage Library System courier, the Oregon Digital Library Consortium/Library2Go, and digitization of Chemawa Indian School materials and Tribal newspapers.
A wide variety of programs operated by the Oregon Library Association including Oregon Battle of the Books, Libros for Oregon, OSLIS, Overdue: Weeding Out Oppression in Libraries podcast, and professional development scholarships.
Answerland, the state's 24/7 online library chat reference service.
A variety of continuing education opportunities for Oregon library staff and volunteers including the Oregon Library Staff Academy on Niche Academy, library board resources such as the newly released board handbook, and special training such as Libraries Leading with Equity.
Questions about State Library Services
Does this impact Ready to Read grants?
Ready to Read grants are not impacted as they are not federally funded. Those grants are funded through from the State's General Fund.
What do I do if I have an LSTA grant from the State Library?
If you received a 2024 LSTA competitive grant award or 2025 teen internship grant from the State Library, your grant is secure and you should proceed with your intended service.
If you have submitted a grant application for 2025, please note the State Library is proceeding with plans as we wait for the official FY25 LSTA Award Letter from IMLS.
Are any of the State Library's services going to be immediately affected?
At this time, services will continue.
Guidance from the Oregon Attorney General
Oregon Attorney General Rayfield Issues Multistate Guidance for Schools on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Initiatives, March 5, 2025, Guidance Letter.
Please note we are updating this page as new information is available.