Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services An agency of the Department of Administration

Frequently Asked Questions on Executive Order on IMLS

Will this action impact State Aid to Libraries? 

No. State Aid to Libraries is supported with state funds. However, staff collecting data and certifying state aid applications are partially supported with federal funds.


Will this action impact my Construction Reimbursement payment?

No. Construction is supported with state funds.


Will this action impact interlibrary delivery?

Yes. While delivery is supported primarily with state funds, the cost of the delivery service is supplemented with federal funds. If federal funding is cut, delivery service will be impacted; the extent to which the service is cut will depend on the extent of the federal funding cut. In addition, the salaries of staff who work in the area of delivery are partially supported with federal funds.


Will this action impact AskRI databases?

Yes. Certain databases are paid with federal funds, though most are paid with state funds through the Statewide Reference Resource Center (AskRI).


Will this action impact Summer Reading Programs?

This will not affect grants supporting summer reading this summer as preparations for the 2025 Summer Reading Program are already underway and OLIS is entering into agreements with libraries for Summer Reading Grants. However, future grants and support for this program will cease if OLIS loses LSTA funding.


Will this action impact PFE grants in 2025?

No, this will not affect grants supporting Professional Field Experience grants for MLIS students from the University of Rhode Island for spring and summer 2025.  However, future grants for this program would cease if OLIS loses LSTA funding.


Will this action impact LORI grants?

LORI grants (with the exception of Summer Reading and PFEs) were not offered in 2025 due to the uncertainty of federal funding. Future grant programs (summer reading, PFE, competitive LORI grants) will not be available if OLIS loses federal funding.


What services will be impacted?

OLIS’ 2024 federal grant remains available through Sept 30, 2025. As long as OLIS can draw down funds for this grant, OLIS services will remain unaffected.  OLIS has not yet been awarded a grant for 2025; if this grant is not received, the services listed in OLIS' Summary on the Executive Order will be suspended or reduced. 


How does the Institute of Museum and Library Services help libraries in Rhode Island?

In addition to the funding provided to OLIS, IMLS provides services to OLIS and Rhode Island libraries. These services include strategic vision, assistance with OLIS’ LORI Grants, extensive data collection and analysis programs to help libraries make data-driven decisions, and competitive grants that are received by RI libraries, such as National Library Leadership Grants and Laura Bush 21st Century Librarians, and grants awarded to RI museums. Check out this short video on the Impact of IMLS, which includes a statement from RI’s Chief of Library Services. 


What can I do to help?

Contact Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation.  Let them know that funding and services provided through the Institute of Museum and Library Services to the RI Office of Library and Information Services are critical to your library and the community you serve.  Be specific about which programs are important to you and your patrons, such as summer reading and other services listed on OLIS' Summary on the Executive Order. And if you have friends and relatives in other states, have them contact their congressional delegation as this order will impact state library agencies and libraries across the nation.


How can I learn more?

The following organizations have issued statements and are taking action.  You can also support these efforts, but please do that after you call or write your Rhode Island congressional delegation and let them know in your own words what this action means to your library or to you as a library user.

I have more questions, who can I contact?

Email the Office of Library and Information Services.