Federal funding cuts could impact South #Mississippi #library services

Aug. 7, 2025

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - "The Harrison County Library System is asking for support to prevent further federal budget cuts.

"If a new round of federal funding cuts is approved, it would impact the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which is a federal agency and a major source of funding for local libraries.

"South Mississippi library officials said that cuts at the federal level could result in a loss of various services.

" 'We don’t want this to happen,' said Sarah Crisler-Ruskey, Director of the Harrison County Library System. “This will impact our ability to serve our patrons.'

"The federal funding helps provide #DigitalMaterials, #InterLibraryLoans to share books from other Mississippi #libraries, and grants for technology and programs.

" 'Libraries also help patrons access the #TalkingBook service. So if they are visually impaired or have a physical reason they can not hold a book, this is a free service that is funded by the same money,' said Crisler-Ruskey.

"The Harrison County Library System is asking people to contact their Mississippi congressmen and senators and let them know that the library is important to them."

https://www.wlox.com/2025/08/07/federal-funding-cuts-could-impact-south-mississippi-library-services/

#LibrariesRule #USPol #FundingCuts #LibrariesAreEssential #LibraryCuts
#LibraryServices #LoveOfReading
#BuildingCommunity #Literacy #SupportingResearch
#CriticalThinkingSkills

Shhhhh... 🤫 #UK - #Librarians told not to express views on cuts

by John Wimperis, 8/8/2025

"Librarians have been asked not to express their views on cuts to the service while at work or within a #library.

"All libraries run by #NorthSomerset Council are under threat of reduced hours and three have been earmarked for closure.

"The move comes after the council announced it was axing its annual spending on libraries by £433k.

"When asked why librarians were being told not to talk to journalists about the cuts, North Somerset Council said librarians were just following the standard practice."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cev200y3j3zo

#LibrariesRule #LibrariesAreEssential #LibraryCuts #LibraryServices #UKPol #ScotlandPol #LoveOfReading #BuildingCommunity #Literacy #SupportingResearch #CriticalThinkingSkills

#Scotland - #Librarian cuts at #Glasgow schools will 'rob kids of opportunities' as #SNP Government urged to intervene

EXCLUSIVE: #Labour warned library cuts on Scotland's largest local authority risked worsening the country's 'shameful attainment gap'.

Chris McCall Deputy Political Editor, 02 Aug 2025

Excerpt: "Glasgow Life, which manages the library service for the council, is proposing to take 16 librarians out of the city's education system. The plans would see the school service headed up by a principal librarian along with three area-based librarians, while an 'assistant' would be placed in high schools.

"An online petition against the cuts and shared among parents has since been signed more than 1,300 times.

"Joy McLean said she was concerned about how a decline in #LibraryServices would impact her daughter and other pupils. '#Librarians are essential #educators who foster a love of #reading, support research and #DigitalLiteracy, and help students thrive #academically and personally,' she added."

Read more:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/librarian-cuts-glasgow-schools-rob-35659625

#LibrariesRule! #EducationCuts #ScotlandPol #LoveOfReading #BuildingCommunity #Literacy #SupportingResearch #CriticalThinkingSkills