[kids-lib] More State Library Updates & Town Hall on 7/9

[MAURER Jennifer * SLO]

Please pardon this cross-posting.
Hi Folks,
I'm sharing the latest update<https://www.oregon.gov/library/Pages/Updates.aspx> about the situation with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). See the email below from Wendy Cornelisen, State Librarian.
Ultimately, we have received an award letter for our full allotment of 2025 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds, which is basically for July 2025 through June 2026. As decisions in court cases keep getting made in favor of letting congressionally-approved funds flow, we are more hopeful that the LSTA 2025 funds will remain available to us. So far, the only major difference for the 2025 fiscal year is that we will not award competitive grants.
Best,
Jen
Jen Maurer, School Library Consultant, State Library of Oregon, jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov>
From: ola at memberclicks-mail.net<mailto:ola at memberclicks-mail.net> <ola at memberclicks-mail.net<mailto:ola at memberclicks-mail.net>> On Behalf Of Wendy Cornelisen
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2025 6:52 PM
To: MAURER Jennifer * SLO <jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov>>
Subject: [oasl-all] More updates & Town Hall announcement

The news keeps rolling in. Here's the latest:

As you know, the state of Oregon is one of 21 states suing the current administration over IMLS funding<https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69844582/state-of-rhode-island-v-trump/>.

  *   The ruling, released last month, was in our favor, and placed a preliminary injunction<https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.rid.59257/gov.uscourts.rid.59257.60.0_1.pdf> against the administration's actions.
  *   Following several filings, the administration's request for a stay of the preliminary injunction was soundly rejected<https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69844582/67/state-of-rhode-island-v-trump/>.
  *   The 21 AGs case continues with an amendment<https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69844582/68/state-of-rhode-island-v-trump/> to their complaint.

I'm a member of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, or COSLA. This is the same group that has hosted the Voices for Libraries event in Washington, D.C., the past few years.

  *   Last week, COSLA submitted testimony<https://www.cosla.org/assets/docs/PressReleases/COSLA-Senate-OWT-2025-0613-final.pdf> to the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, highlighting the value of LSTA funds across the nation.
  *   Senator Jeff Merkley serves on this important sub-committee.

Also last week, the Government Accountability Office - issued a report<https://www.gao.gov/products/b-337375#_ftn10> that the current administration violated the law in withholding funds to IMLS. This applies to the LSTA 2024 and LSTA 2025 funds, both of which have now been released.

I know there's a lot to unpack with all of this, and still a lot of uncertainty with LSTA funding in the future. In an effort to stay connected, and share out what is known, I'm hosting a Town Hall next month.

Wednesday, July 9
11:30a - 12:30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87918860424

Please submit your questions here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/QAWithTheStateLibrarian

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Thanks,
Wendy

Wendy Cornelisen (she, her, hers)
State Librarian
State Library of Oregon
wendy.cornelisen at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:wendy.cornelisen at slo.oregon.gov>
Office: 503-378-4367| Mobile 971-375-3992
www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>
[Title: State Library of Oregon]
________________________________
Oregon Library Association * PO Box 3067, La Grande, Oregon 97850, United States
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