Libraries and museums in Grays Harbor County could be among those hit the hardest after the latest round of federal funding cuts and grant program terminations.

On March 14, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order directing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to significantly reduce its operations. According to its website, the IMLS “is an independent federal agency that supports libraries, archives and museums in all 50 states and U.S. territories.”

As of last Friday, a wide swath of cuts reverberated through IMLS as numerous outlets have reported a multitude of federal grants held by libraries, archives and museums nationwide have been terminated. Those cuts include the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program and the National Leadership Grants programs.

Evi Buell, Timberland Regional Library regional manager, said that outlying and independent libraries will be hit hardest by the IMLS funding cuts.

“There’s a lot more impact to rural and underserved libraries than there are to systems as big as ours, our funding is generally not from sources that would be at risk with what’s happening with IMLS,” Buell said. “We’re primarily property tax and timber sales make up the vast majority of our budget.”

However, Aberdeen librarian Janice Rabe said the cuts in IMLS funding could directly affect programs in progress.

“We currently have two speakers from Humanities Washington coming, and they are completely IMLS funded, and it is now completely gutted, unfortunately. The two speakers that I have already booked for this year are still coming but we don’t know about next year,” Rabe said. “I think about other libraries, not even just ours. We’re very lucky to be in this system. I am primarily worried about the smaller libraries like Ocean Shores because they are city funded, also La Conner and also the east part of Washington. Who knows?”

According to Timberland Regional Library (TRL), which has 29 branches in Grays Harbor County and Western Washington including Aberdeen and Hoquiam, “A variety of research and reference databases, local history resources, digital newspapers, workforce development tools, and research and reference resources for all ages are utilized by TRL patrons and are either fully funded or subsidized by WSL (Washington State Library) using IMLS grants. The elimination of IMLS funding and other federal funding puts the availability of these programs and services at risk.”

Additionally, patrons can check out CDs, DVDs and devices like Launchpads and Playaways, use internet enabled computers or free WiFi, print, scan and fax and attend a variety of events. TRL also offers a variety of mobile apps.

The Ocean Shores Public Library offers a robust monthly calendar of activities that includes job seeking services, genealogy classes, story time for children, book clubs and local author appearances, poetry readings, teen zone, Dungeons and Dragons game nights, LEGO building tournaments, a video game club, live performances, and more. Timberland Regional Library branches also hold a variety of events. TRL and the Ocean Shores Public Library provide numerous online services as well.

“That’s some of the concern because IMLS helps to fund broadband access to rural and underserved communities, and that’s potentially going to affect the access our patrons have,” Buell said. “Access to ebooks and other online resources could be impacted as well. In our system electronic resources are very popular. Some other programs as well like workforce development, staff training, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library for instance, that are more directly funded by IMLS we’re more concerned about.”

Many low-income families use their local library for a variety of reasons, especially if there are young children in the household.

“It’s such a core part of our mission being able to provide those services,” Buell said.

According to a January 2025 TRL blog, ”All Timberland Libraries offer early learning programs, in the library itself and out in the community, for those who find it difficult to make it to the library. TRL has also taken steps to ensure that library fees do not create barriers to kids’ learning by removing all late fines from all materials and removing lost item charges for picture and early literacy books. Additionally, the library provides enrollment resources for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, allowing caregivers to receive one free book each month for each child from birth until age five.”

TRL said that the Washington State Library received approximately $3.9 million as part of the Grants to States program during fiscal year 2024. Although Timberland Regional Library is funded primarily through property taxes (93.5%) with supplemental funding from timber revenues (5.7%), the loss of federal funding and grant money could have a detrimental effect on numerous TRL programs and services.

“Your Libby app (digital books, audiobooks, and magazines) is through the Washington Anytime Library. … Some of the smaller rural libraries are part of Washington Anytime Library, which is funded through the state library system,” Rabe said. “Sometimes getting access to the digital ebooks and audiobooks is more expensive than the print version so that way they can all go together and have a wider range and this will 100% affect that.”

In many communities throughout the region, Friends of the Library organizations help fund numerous events and activities at their local libraries. Rabe said the Aberdeen Friends of the Library have been extremely helpful and supportive.

“Our Friends here in Aberdeen, they help us fund a lot of stuff. When we do Summer Fest, a lot of those books come directly from the Friends. We have a very robust Friends group, we’re very, very thankful to have them,” Rabe said. “Whenever we need additional funding for performers, they are happy to step in and take over that for us which is phenomenal. They’re just a wealth of knowledge, a lot of them used to be librarians here.”

Buell added, “The same is true for our other locations. The Hoquiam Friends group is really fantastic as well, they’re engaged. That’s one of the best things about these Friends groups is that they are engaged, they are invested. They help support and advocate and you couldn’t ask for better friends than that.”

The American Library Association reported on March 31, “All staff at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) were placed on administrative leave for an unknown length of time and, thus, all grants and contracts suspended and, ultimately, likely to be cancelled.”

“Within months, if not weeks, local libraries will experience the impact of IMLS grant cancellations,” said ALA President Cindy Hohl. “Even now, state libraries are making hard choices about what their communities may have to do without: library loans that give rural residents more choices, or talking books for people with print disabilities, including many seniors? Or do they cut summer reading programs for kids? Discontinue programs for veterans or end services to small businesses?”

According to an FAQ on the ALA website, “The American Library Association is fighting for IMLS to be preserved and to continue supporting our nation’s 125,000 public, school, academic, and special libraries. Our policy and advocacy team in Washington, D.C., is working with partners and library supporters across the country to advocate for IMLS.”

The Washington State Librarian’s office told USA TODAY that their grants have ended six months early.

Washington State Librarian Sara Jones appeared on a recent episode of the No Shhh … It’s the TRL Podcast and called IMLS funding “bar none, one of the most effective and efficient uses of money that I’ve ever seen … you have to know what your project outcomes are going to be before you’re given a penny, and then you’re asked — did you meet those project outcomes or exceed them?”

On April 4, Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown joined 20 other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of three federal agencies that provide services and funding supporting public libraries and museums, workers, and minority-owned businesses nationwide.

According to the Office of the Attorney General, “In 2024, IMLS invested $180 million in libraries nationwide under its Grants to States Program. The administration’s action will threaten hundreds of library staff across the country that provide essential services to their communities.” Fights over federal grant monies and their disbursement continue in the courts.

Jones added, “People’s voices matter. When you call your Congress people and your state legislators and tell them, ‘Hey, this matters to me, it’s important’ — that works. It really does work.”

Rabe said, “Call your representatives, sign petitions, get out there and advocate for us.”