Call for Advocacy for IMLS and Museums

This page provides contact information and communication templates to voice support for saving the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS). All submission to State Representatives must be received by MIDNIGHT on MARCH 20, 2025.

How to contact your state representatives:

1. Follow the link to access the submission form. CLICK HERE
2. Fill out the form

3. Paragraph 2 of the letter in "gray section" that says "It's important for you to personalize this message…." Cut and paste the paragraphs provided below (or create your own)

   Over the last 26 years, our cultural organization in Dubuque, Iowa has received $2.2 million dollars in funding support from IMLS. This critical funding has helped us to gain intellectual control of collections, create a master interpretive plan, and create significant permanent exhibits. Our two museums, The National Mississippi River Museum and the Mathias Ham Historic Site, draw 200,000 visitors annually, account for $16 million in activity for our local economy, and directly support 176 households through employment. Without IMLS funding, our growth as a museum, our role as a public steward of historic and living collections, and our leadership in contributing to Iowa's economy face significant risk.

4. Send one from your work email (if you have one) and one from your personal email. Please use your employer's address for your work email and your home address for your personal email.

A March 14, 2025 Executive Order is directing further cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS is an important museum partner, providing needed grant funding to the Dubuque County Historical Society (DCHS) and its properties. After midnight on March 20, this Executive Order will go to the legislature and if accepted, would essentially wipe IMLS within seven days.

IMLS efficiently provides critical resources to libraries and museums in all 50 states and territories. IMLS provides critical grants that help history museums:

• Preserve and care for historical collections
• Expand public access to history through digital resources
• Fund educational programs that engage students and lifelong learners
• Strengthen communities by supporting local history organizations
• In short, IMLS funding makes history accessible to millions of Americans.

Over the last 26 years, DHCS has received $2.2 million in funding support from the IMLS. This crucial funding has helped support the River of Innovation Machine Shop, several collections inventory and intellectual control projects, and most recently, our Master Interpretive Plan.

Our two campuses, The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and the Mathias Ham Historic Site, draw 200,000 visitors annually, account for $16 million in activity for our local economy, and directly support 176 households through employment. Without IMLS funding, our growth as a museum, our role as a public steward of historic and living collections, and our leadership in contributing to Iowa's economy face significant risk.

While we are uncertain what the impact of these cuts will be, we can be certain this will have a significant impact on not only DCHS but museums, arboretums, cultural centers, and those organizations preserving history and amplifying community voices.

IMLS is already operating at a minimum level, making up only 0.0046% of the overall federal budget. This action will negatively impact our future funding opportunities. DCHS is asking for your commitment to be an active advocate for preserving history, saving species, and continued lifelong learning. The more people that speak up now, the more likely our elected officials will take action to advocate for museums and organizations like ours.