US libraries cut ebook and audiobook lending programs following Trump executive order

In the latest episode How to disassemble public services in 12 easy stepsThe Libraries targeting Trump executive decision have real world results. This Trip declare Libraries in the country in the country are cutting programs offering email, audiobook and other credit programs. These initiatives exploded as popularity after the pandemic, increased more than 660 million people from 660 million people borrowed them in 2023.

Grants cutting and cutting Trump executive order targeting the Institute of Museum and Library Services on March 14 (IMLS). The manager for Helm, Keith E. Sonderlign signed a signal to quickly to make the president’s tender. O covered with earth All employees of the administrative leave of the IMLS were terminated, grants and contracts were canceled, and the National Museum and Library Services Council employed everyone.

Federal judges are temporarily blockhead Management increases the IMLs. But lawyer 21 Staff from the Association of Library, the Agency’s federal finance remains frozen. And climbs to adjust libraries.

If you have used an ebook or audiobook to borrow your library by an application Denomination or HoeplaThere is a good chance of the federal financing. Libraries receive digital leases for emails and audiobials from publishing houses, allow boss to borrow the headlines. Rent is usually more expensive than physical copies and must be updated after a certain period or the number of verification.

With the library digital debt download, these federal funds have traveled a long way to emit programs. Mississippi stopped the Hoop-based loan program indefinitely.

IMLS was established in 1996 by the US Congress of the United States. The agency has an annual budget of less than $ 300 million, which in turn is half of this amount to the state libraries that help local libraries digital credit programs. “Small library systems could not pay for e-books for themselves,” Rebecca Wendt, Director of the State Library of California, told this Trip.