Tell Congress to #FundLibraries

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Thanks to your advocacy, Congress funded libraries in FY (fiscal year) 2026!

After an extra lengthy process, Congress has approved a federal budget for fiscal year 2026, which was signed into law on February 3, 2026. Advocates from across the country showed up for libraries and made their voices heard. Thanks to your hard work, Congress included robust funding for libraries through the Institute of Museum and Library Services as well as the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program. Learn more about the outcome of this year's budget cycle from ALA's Lisa Varga.

Send Your Appreciation for Library Funding!

Even with this accomplishment, we're not slowing down. Stay tuned for more information and ways to advocate as Congress begins the fiscal year 2027 budget process.

Learn more about the campaign to fund libraries and spread the word with our tools and resources below.

Congressional "Dear Appropriator" Signature History

Each year, ALA's Public Policy and Advocacy Office works with congressional staff to produce and circulate "Dear Appropriator" letters in Congress, addressed to members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, requesting funding amounts for federal programs that support libraries. The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding supports libraries of all types through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and its grant programs, including direct-to-state grants. The Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) funding supports school libraries through the Department of Education.

The circulation of the "Dear Appropriator" letters marks the first and most influential nationwide advocacy action on the federal budget in any given year, and took place this year between April and May. In 2025, the letters were led by Senator Jack Reed (RI), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), and Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02). You can see the final tally of signatures in both house of Congress below.

Did your Senators sign on to support library funding in FY2026 or in previous fiscal years?

Did your House Representative sign on to support library funding in FY2026 or in previous fiscal years?

Appropriations Fact Sheets & Resources

Download a handy one-pager of your state's IMLS funding history and library facts. Need more specific examples? Check out the full IMLS grant database!

Curious about the specifics of what federal funds have paid for over the past decade? Check out this detailed chart for all the services that federal funds have provided across the country!

Download our Appropriations pathway for advocates to learn more about how the Appropriations process works.

Invite members of Congress to visit your library. Check out these tips for organizing a virtual or in-person visit, and download this one-page introduction to Federal funding to share with them on the visit.

Share the Campaign - Share Your Story!

Spread the word about #FundLibraries on social media and share the impact of IMLS funding in your library or state. Remember to tag your posts with #FundLibraries.

Download all of our Fund Libraries graphics here.
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Fund Libraries - Tell Congress to invest in libraries

Past "Dear Appropriator" Letters

FY26 Senate Letter on LSTA - May 2025
FY26 Senate Letter on IAL - May 2025
FY26 House Letter on LSTA - April 2025
FY26 House Letter on IAL - April 2025

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