American libraries cut off e -books and audible lending programs after Trump’s executive order

In the latest episode of How to dismantle public services in 12 easy stepsTrump’s executive targeting libraries with severe consequences. the AP I mentioned During the weekend, libraries all over the country cut off programs that offer e -books, audio books and other loan programs. These initiatives exploded in popularity after the epidemic, as more than 660 million people borrowed in the world in 2023 – an annual increase of 19 percent.

The discounts and grants of grants followed Trump’s executive issued on March 14, targeting the Museum and Library Services Institute (IMLS). Soon, the appointed to lead the agency, Keith E Sundling, indicated that there was to make the president’s tender. he I put IMLS termination notifications were sent on administrative leave, termination notifications to most of them, cancellation of grants and contracts and launched everyone at the Museum Services Council and National Libraries.

Federal rulers temporarily Prohibited Management of more inflation is IMLS. But while Judicial cases Of the 21 states and the American library association, its way through the courts, the agency’s federal funding is still frozen. The libraries are scrambling to adjust.

If you have used your library before to borrow an electronic book or an audio book through an application like Libyan or HublaThere is a good chance for federal financing that made it possible. Libraries buy digital rental contracts for e -books and audio books from publishers, allowing them to provide addresses to the beneficiaries. Rental contracts usually cost much more physical copies and must be renewed after a specific period or a number of exit operations.

As the library’s digital borrowing increased, these federal funds have come a long way to keep the programs standing on its feet. Mississippi commented indefinitely the Hubla lending program.

IMLS was created in 1996 by the US -dominated US Congress. The agency has an annual budget less than $ 300 million, with approximately half of this amount to government libraries, which in turn helps to finance digital lending programs for local libraries. “Small library systems are unable to pay the price of e -books themselves,” said Rebecca Wend, California State Library Director. AP.