Thursday, April 03, 2025

It looks like the Michigan statewide state-wide interlibrary loan service called MeLCat may be in danger.
I got the following email from my local library:
The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and MeLCat are made possible with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). You most likely have heard about the Presidential Executive Order calling for the elimination of non-statutory components of IMLS, and earlier this week all IMLS staff were placed on administrative leave. 
The Continuing Resolution that was approved by Congress and signed by the President on March 15, 2025 includes full funding of IMLS through September of this year. With no IMLS staff, it's unclear how the approved funding will be executed, but from what we know at this point in time, there are no changes or interruptions.
Please continue to enjoy use of these services. We are watching the developments closely and will keep you informed of changes as we become aware of them. 

This is a service I actually use a lot since returning to the US.  (Of course, it would be just my luck that right after I return to the US, they would get rid of this service.)

More information here and here.

So, I just called the office of my local representative (link HERE)  to let them know that this was a service I enjoyed using, and that I hoped it would continue to stay funded.

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