Why can’t you borrow that e-book anymore? American libraries are difficult by Trump’s order

Library are killing employees across the United States, suspending interliber loans programs, and cutting out access to e-books and audiunt after suspending millions of dollars in federal grants to eliminate the Museum and Library Services (IMLS) by the Trump administration.On March 14, the Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump tries to dissolve the IMLS and dismissed almost all its employees. The move has had an immediate and far -reaching impact, forcing the state libraries to re -assure their budget and prevent major services. While federal judges have issued temporary orders to block the disintegration of the agency, the suspension of funding has already taken a toll.Men closed the fifth of his library staff and temporarily closed his state library after federal funds failed to arrive. Mississippi libraries suspended Hupala e-book service, and South Dakota has stopped its statewide Interlabury Loan program.“This was quite surprised for all of us and one of the eight employees kept on 8 May,” said Davis, a library spencer at the Main State Library.Grants are usually funnel to support the book-sharing network between summer reading programs, digital lending services, and libraries through state libraries-especially important in rural communities that lack large local budgets.“I think everyone should know that the cost of providing digital sources is very expensive for most libraries,” said Cindy Hohal, president of the American Library Association. “It is a constant and growing need.”In Mississippi, lack of funding has influenced readers directly in places such as Londase and Desoto counties. “People are calling and asking, ‘Why can’t I use my books on Hupala?” “Columbus-Launds Public Library System Library Director Erin Busby said.“For most libraries who were using federal dollars for most libraries who were using the federal dollars, they had to reduce the activities.”California, Washington and Connecticut were formally reported to those states that their remaining funds for the year were canceled. The three states have filed objections with the agency.“We are mysterious,” said Rebecca Vendent, State Librarian of California. “Small library systems themselves are not able to pay for e-books.”The effect is being felt at the national level. In 2023, more than 660 million people borrowed e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines globally, up to 19% from the previous year, from the last year, according to overdrive, according to overdrive.The freeze also takes other federal initiatives supported by IMLS, including Laura Bush 21st century librarian programs, which aims to train a diverse generation of library professionals.The Attorney General of 21 states and the American Library Association has filed cases against the Trump administration, aimed at preventing full disruption of the agency. Nevertheless, uncertainty prevails.“Library funding is never strong. It is always a point of discussion. It always happens something you need to advocate,” said Liz Docket, director of the library in the Curtis Memorial Library in the Main. “It is just adding general anxiety.”The IMLS created by a Republican -led Congress in 1996 distributes less than $ 150 million annually to state libraries. Its sudden faulty has left many institutions for north and for dollars.