Tell Congress to #FundLibraries

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The Dear Appropriator Letters in support of library funding for FY26 have closed in both the House and Senate. Stay tuned for more information and action opportunities in the coming weeks!

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

We need your support: Urge your members of Congress to sign "Dear Appropriator" letters in support of federal library funding requests. As ALA fights for the future of library funding in court, we need every advocate to tell Congress to #FundLibraries.

“Dear Appropriator” letters urge members of the Appropriations Committees to support funding for specific programs, like libraries. The best way for any Congressmember to demonstrate their commitment to library funding is to sign on to the letters in support of libraries.

As the courts deliberate on the Administration’s illegal attempt to eliminate the only federal agency dedicated to libraries, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), it’s critical that Congress includes funding for this agency through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in the FY26 budget—otherwise, IMLS won’t be able to operate, regardless of the outcome of the court cases. For school libraries, Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) provides needed resources for addressing literacy. Similarly, while courts debate the future of the Department of Education, it’s vital that Congress continue funding for IAL.

Congressional 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 these letters marks the first and most influential nationwide advocacy action on the federal budget in any given year.

This year, the letters are led by Senator Jack Reed (RI), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), and Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02).

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

Did your 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!

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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Past "Dear Appropriator" Letters

FY26 Senate Letter on LSTA (Coming soon)
FY26 Senate Letter on IAL (Coming soon)
FY26 House Letter on LSTA (Coming soon)
FY26 House Letter on IAL (Coming soon)

Federal Library Funding Chart - FY14-25

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