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Federal debate over cuts have had no impact, as yet, on Ely facility
Ely’s librarian took several minutes at a city council meeting to tamp down rumors that apparently were fueled by social media.
Rachel Heinrich assured council members that no program cuts were in the works at the public library this year, despite rumors to the contrary.
“I am not going to stop buying books today,” said Heinrich. “I am not canceling the summer program today. I just wanted to make sure that was clear.”
Heinrich added that “implications from some of the things online is that these things are going away immediately.”
Heinrich speculated that some of the rumors spread as a result of library board discussions, but she added that the board’s talks were more focused on “what-if” scenarios related to potential federal cuts.
“The library board discussion was about being proactive, and if there’s less money in the pot, what does that mean for the library and how do we have strategies to deal with that so we’re not scrambling at the last minute.”
She added “We are not talking about not having a summer reading program. We are not talking about making cuts this year. The rumor is out there that is what happened, and I wanted to bring it out there and dispel that rumor.”
Council member Al Forsman said he was appreciative of the update.
“I saw a lot of those questions and commend you for bringing this out front to dispel some of these rumors,” said Forsman. “I’m greatly appreciated.”
Some of the library board discussion, Heinrich indicated, was about potential impacts in 2026 and the possible loff of Institute of Museum and Library Service funding.
Heinrich said the state gets just over $3 million in IMLS funds, which helps libraries share resources.
“It’s not money that we control,” said Heinrich. “If that money goes away it does have an impact on local service, so naturally we’re a little concerned about it.”
Heinrich added that “all of our money that funds programming comes from sources other than tax funding,” citing the regional library system and Ely’s Friends of the Library.
As debate continues at the federal level, Heinrich said she is available to bring library patrons up to date about the potential impacts, if any, to Ely’s library.
“I would be happy to answer questions to the best of my ability,” said Heinrich. “At the moment it is not directly impacting our library.”
