Dear Placentia Library District Patrons,

I write to you today with a deep sense of concern and responsibility as we face significant state funding cuts to public libraries across California.

On March 14, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order eliminating the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS). The IMLS is an independent federal agency that supports libraries and museums through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS administers federal grants to states, determining how funds are spent, and discretionary grants to individual library agencies. In 2024, the IMLS’ budget allocation was $266.7 million, or about 0.003% of the total federal budget.

Effective April 1, 2025, federal grant awarded under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) has been terminated. If the federal funding is not restored or backfilled, the following services will be discontinued in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, including the California State Library’s LSTA-funded grant programs:

• Subscriptions to ProLiteracy and Change Agent, and training and resources for local library literacy programs
• Preservation and digitization services for historical collection
• Funds to add materials to California’s Bookshelf and statewide access to materials
• Resource guides, and collections of books to support summer reading programs
• Subscriptions to VolunteerMatch, and support for recruiting, training, and working with volunteers

The IMLS is critical in supporting libraries and museums of all sizes, especially those in rural, underserved, and marginalized communities. Through federal funding and grant programs, IMLS empowers institutions to serve the public through education, digital access, workforce development, and lifelong learning opportunities. Libraries and museums are lifelines that provide education, accessibility, connections, and opportunities.

The Placentia Library District is grateful to have received funding from the IMLS for the following services and programs:

• High-speed broadband—Addressing digital disparities and ensuring seamless streaming, telecommuting, and online learning for our patrons during their library visits. The cost for this connection for Placentia residents would have been $12,000 per year.
• 3rd Grade Visits – Promoting local government operations while fostering a sense of civic responsibility and community awareness. The Library has hosted students, parents, and teachers from Wagner, Morse, Tynes, Melrose, Van Buren, Golden, Sierra Vista, and Ruby Drive elementary schools. The cost to the school district for these tours would be over $10,000, which the Library District covers through grants such as IMLS.
• Digitization History Room Collection – Highlighting unique stories through historical documents, photographs, and maps with 24/7 access. Patrons may pay upwards of $0.69 to scan one photo (500 photos = $345) and $24.99 for audio cassette to digital files or CD (5 cassettes = $125)

These reductions in financial support directly impact the services, resources, and programs we offer to our communities. This is especially troubling for our most vulnerable patrons—students who rely on after-school support, seniors who depend on our digital literacy training, job seekers who need access to computers and resume help, and families who count on our free events to learn and grow together.

Please know that this message is not intended to be polarizing. Rather, it is meant to keep you and your family informed about the real and present challenges public libraries are facing—not just here in Placentia but across the nation. We believe our community deserves transparency, and it’s important that you understand how these changes may affect your access to the vital resources you have come to rely on.

Our mission has always been to provide equitable access to knowledge and support lifelong learning, but these funding cuts jeopardize that mission. Despite these challenges, our commitment to you remains steadfast. We will continue to serve our community with creativity and care, making the most of every resource available. Thank you for standing with us and being part of the library family. Together, we can ensure that libraries continue to thrive and support your right to access information and opportunity.

Respectfully,

Jeanette Contreras

Library Director