To the Journal editor:

A March 14, 2025 presidential executive order was issued to eliminate funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

This funding provided many valuable services, including funding for Michigan eLibrary interlibrary loan services. Although the Peter White Library has an extensive collection, there are many times that I have used interlibrary loans to obtain books and DVDs not in our local collection.

PWPL patrons borrowed 10,629 items through interlibrary loan in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. In turn, PWPL loaned 9,526 items to other libraries. Cooperating by sharing materials allows our public libraries to use their resources more efficiently.

I urge U.S. Sens. Peters and Slotkin and U.S. Rep. Bergman to do whatever they can to restore funding for IMLS. This is a wise and efficient use of public resources.

Sincerely,