Western New York Library Resources Council

Fund Libraries - Tell Congress to invest in libraries

New: The proposed budget released in the House would *increase* federal library funding through the Institute of Museum and Library Services!

As the Administration has sought to dismantle IMLS, Congress is choosing to #FundLibraries, all because of library advocates.

Stay tuned for more from ALA.

Gov. Hochul Vetoes Freedom to Read Act - NYCLU

I could not even fathom a reason why a governor of a very blue state with pockets of red would be against measures to combat book bans. www.nyclu.org/press-releas...

May criticizes Hochul's 'misguided' veto of bill to prevent book bans in NY libraries State Sen. Rachel May criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul’s veto of her bill, the Freedom to Read Act, which aimed to prevent book bans in New York libraries.

We are disappointed that Governor Hochul has vetoed the Freedom to Read Act www.thedailynewsonline.com/news/may-cri...

Tell Governor Hochul to Sign the Freedom to Read Act (S.1099/A.7777)! Join the Sign the Freedom to Read Act (S.1099/A.7777)! campaign and make your voice heard.

Calling all New Yorkers who love libraries! The Governor has received the Freedom To Read bill as of 12/9/2025. She has ten days to sign it into law. Drop her a line and ask her to sign the bill with this link from New York Library Association app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

What You Can Do: Contact the Governor by writing a letter, email, or calling! Share this and tell a friend to do the same. Example phone script: “Hi, my name is [NAME] and I am a constituent from [ADDRESS]. I am asking Governor Hochul to protect school libraries and their students’ right to read by signing the Freedom to Read Act. The Freedom to Read Act stands up against book bans in New York and requires school districts to maintain diverse and inclusive library collections for their students. Please sign the Freedom to Read Act and protect school libraries!”

Contact Information: Governor Hochul’s phone: 518-474-8390 Governor Hochul’s email form: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form Governor Hochul’s mailing address: The Honorable Kathy Hochul Governor of New York State NYS State Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224 Tip: You should always save your legislators’ phone numbers to your contacts.

How else can you contact the Governor? By phone, email, or snail mail. We've included a phone script for you. What You Can Do:

Take Action for Libraries. Are you a Library Advocate? Tell Governor Hochul to sign the Freedom to Read Act!

What Is the Freedom To Read Act? “Requires the commissioner of education and school library systems to develop policies to ensure that school libraries and library staff are empowered to curate and develop collections that provide students with access to the widest array of developmentally appropriate materials available.” This bill is a powerful stand against the wave of book challenges sweeping the nation, affirming that school libraries are able to maintain diverse and inclusive materials in their library collections available to every student.

Why This Is Important: The rate of book bans and challenges have been increasing over the past decade. In New York, 21 school districts have banned books, with 65 instances of books being removed. Most books being challenged are titles with themes about race and/or LGBT+ topics. Students have a right to read and learn, free from censorship or discrimination.

What’s Next: The bill passed the New York State Legislature in June 2025. In order to become law, the bill needs to be signed by the Governor of New York. The bill has not made it to the Governor’s office for signature, so we need to let her know how important this is!

We have a new mission for New York library advocates. The Freedom to Read Act is on the cusp of becoming law - this crucial bill will protect intellectual freedom in school libraries statewide. We need to you to tell the Governor to sign this bill today! app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

Thank you for alerting us!

New York State Librarian Lauren Moore is quoted: "This institute provides $8 million in federal support, sustaining 55 state library staff members – two-thirds of our state library workforce – and essential programs that directly serve local library communities and residents across the state."

Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration to Protect Libraries and Museums NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today co-led a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the

Attorney General Letitia James is leading a coalition of about 20 attorneys in suing the Trump Administration over the dismantling of three federal agencies including IMLS. ag.ny.gov/press-releas...

Letter: IMLS Advisory Board Was Not Consulted on Employee Leave, Wants Clarity In an April 3 letter, the IMLS's advisory body said the lack of communication has created "an information vacuum in which speculation and uncertainty replace transparency and confidence."

Today, IMLS’s advisory body said the lack of communication has created "an information vacuum in which speculation and uncertainty replace transparency and confidence." Read more here: www.wordsandmoney.com/letter-imls-...

Librarians Are Mad As Hell At The Trump Administration. They Think You Should Be, Too. "The public needs to wake up before our libraries are gone," one "livid" librarian said.

Wrote about the Trump administration’s attacks on federal funding for libraries

“Make no mistake about it, the elimination of funding for libraries is a political assault on First Amendment rights, access to information, and the freedom to read,” one librarian said www.huffpost.com/entry/librar...

Example phone script (if they didn’t sign): “Hi, my name is [NAME] and I am a constituent from [ADDRESS]. I am calling to ask why [Rep Name] did not sign the letter circulated by Reps. Titus and Bonamici, urging President Trump to reconsider his decision to eliminate IMLS. I am urging [Rep Name] to show up for our libraries and support IMLS. IMLS provides essential funds that support critical services and programming in our libraries.”

If your representative did not sign the letter, then use this script:

Example phone script (if they signed): “Hi, my name is [NAME] and I am a constituent from [ADDRESS]. I am calling to thank [Rep Name] for signing the letter circulated by Reps. Titus and Bonamici, urging President Trump to reconsider his decision to eliminate IMLS. Thank you for showing up and supporting libraries!”

We have some easy scripts for you to use too. If your representative did sign the letter, then use this one:

127 members of the House of Representatives signed a letter urging President Trump to reconsider his decision to eliminate IMLS. Is yours one of them?

Hi all! We have an action item for our library advocates. As you may already know, there was a letter supporting IMLS circulated in the House of Representatives. We want you to see if your representative signed the letter and CALL! Here's the letter: titus.house.gov/uploadedfile...

We're looking forward to connecting with our members and other library advocates on Bluesky! Say hi!