Save Funding for American Tribal Libraries

Without federal funding, many tribal libraries and archives may face closure or severe cuts in services.

Save Funding for American Tribal Libraries

Without federal funding, many tribal libraries and archives may face closure or severe cuts in services.

On March 16, 2017, President Donald Trump released his Budget Blueprint for 2018, also known as the “America First” budget. This proposed budget eliminates funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. IMLS is a federal agency that provides critical support for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian libraries across the country. Tribal libraries are public libraries within Native American communities. EveryLibrary is proud to stand with the American Indian Library Association to help fight to restore this critical funding but we need your help today! Please use this form to send an email to your representative today.

Without federal funding, many tribal libraries and archives may face closure or severe cuts in services. You can see examples of the important services this funding supports and read and share the stories of American Tribal Libraries here.

Funding for Native American libraries and information services has been a long struggle for those committed to the development of libraries in Indian Country and the IMLS Native American Library Services grants help keep tribal libraries running. These grants are important funding sources for book collections and updates, creating and enhancing library programming, providing technology support, and supporting staff salaries. Moreover, federal funds have been used to address critical needs for Native American communities, including language revitalization, cultural heritage programming, and the maintenance of tribal archival collections


Just $5-10 a month ensures that we can continue our work fighting for libraries across the country.


Our communities stand to lose millions in federal support for childhood literacy, language revitalization, digital infrastructure, college and vocational prep, job-seeking support, and so much more. In some cases, IMLS provides the only consistent source of library funding.

That’s why we’re asking you to contact your Representatives and Senators to ask them to ensure that Federal Funding for IMLS continues.