The April 2025 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries includes:

• An update on federal funding for libraries in the USA
• How to get ready for the 2025 I Partner with my Public Library Awards
• New publications on health partnerships and public libraries
• How to join our monthly Birds of a Feather online conversations

This month’s featured image comes from the Building Resilient Communities initiative.

Climate change and its related environmental health impacts pose serious threats for many, if not all, communities. By developing and strengthening strategic collaborations and partnerships, community leaders and organizations will be better equipped to meet the social and health challenges that accompany these threats and build climate resilient communities.

We are living through some very challenging times (politically and environmentally) and we need to work together more than ever to help all communities thrive. We must be strong and resilient.

As a result of a national initiative, we are thrilled to publish a call-to-action report alongside results from a national survey of this topic.

Learn more at the Building Resilient Communities initiative webpage and please share widely.

We also encourage all to check out and get involved in the ongoing Sustainable Libraries Initiative and Seeding Action initiative for more opportunities for collaboration and action around climate change and community health.

An update on federal funding for libraries in the USA

On March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order intended to dismantle the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), as well as six other agencies.

On March 19, the American Library Association released a statement: America’s public libraries call for Congress to stand up for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

That statement affirms that part of the reason we need the IMLS is that “IMLS programs like the National Leadership grants power innovation that ensures libraries have resources to explore safe routes for children to their public library, expand new technology and AI adoption, and improve disaster preparedness.”

This ALA statement refers to the IMLS’s crucial support for the currently underway Safe Routes to Libraries initiative, a crucial project focused on increasing accessibility for public libraries across America. Learn more here.

We at Let’s Move in Libraries are deeply disappointed by this and other developments that threaten the future of national funding and support for libraries and museums.

We encourage all to subscribe to EveryLibrary’s News and updates to stay informed on developments related to this topic, and if you are in the USA reach out to your elected officials to tell them how important the IMLS is to libraries.

How to get ready for the 2025 I Partner with my Public Library Awards

In these trying times, community collaboration is more important than ever before. In that spirit, we are thrilled to share beginning June 1, 2025, we will be accepting nominations for the Third Annual I Partner with My Public Library Awards.

In this award we shine a light on the health departments, the Yoga instructors, the Parks & Recreation agencies, the Master Gardeners, the local businesses, and the many, many others who collaborate with public libraries to transform communities. Read more below about the Award Winners in 2023 and 2024 and get your nominations ready for 2025!

New publications on health partnerships and public libraries