Rep. McBride discusses federal funding cuts at Lewes library

Congresswoman Sarah McBride visited the Lewes Public Library April 4 to highlight the devastating impact of the Trump administration’s illegal move to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent federal agency responsible for supporting libraries and museums across the country.

During her visit, McBride met with librarians and staff, and community members who rely on library services. Delaware is home to 33 public libraries where residents can renew passports, access the internet, apply for benefits, conduct research and borrow books. IMLS grants enable these libraries to serve all Delawareans, from rural families and working parents to veterans, people with disabilities and caregivers.

An executive order issued March 14 by President Donald Trump resulted in IMLS placing its entire staff on administrative leave, effectively shutting down the agency’s operations and halting the distribution of nearly $300 million in congressionally appropriated funds. The State of Delaware receives more than $5 million annually from IMLS, which is then distributed to the states' libraries.

“Every day this administration rips funding away from our state, it’s not abstract; it’s personal. Delawareans are losing access to free internet, books and educational resources because President Trump decided to defy the law,” said McBride. “These are funds passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump himself. The administration’s actions are not just reckless; they’re illegal.”

In an April 1 letter led by Sen. Chris Coons to Acting Director Keith Sonderling, McBride joined Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) in reminding the Trump administration that IMLS was created by statute and funded by Congress for the express purpose of meeting the “essential information, education, research, economic, cultural and civic needs” of Americans. The law requires IMLS to operate both a Museum Services Office and a Library Services Office, which provide support across all 50 states.

“The Trump administration is illegally ripping funding from Delawareans every day, and this time it’s our libraries that are being targeted,” McBride said. “From withholding money to our farmers, to denying nearly 1 million meals to Delawareans, to tanking our economy, the administration is doing everything except lowering costs for working families. I won’t stop fighting until the resources our communities are owed are fully restored.”