ALAMOSA — Maria Kramer, Alamosa Public Library Manager, and Maria DeHerrera, Director of the Conejos County Library, recently traveled to the Colorado state capitol and met with lawmakers Senator Cleave Simpson and Representative Matthew Martinez. The purpose, in Kramer’s words, was to speak to their representatives about the importance of libraries to the San Luis Valley. 

“Representative Martinez's aides and Senator Simpson were great listeners and very positive toward libraries,” Kramer told the Valley Courier. “Representative Martinez's aides in particular seemed very knowledgeable about the role of libraries in rural communities. They’re ASU students, I believe.”  

The move was pro-active on the part of Kramer and DeHerrera as unprecedented actions taken by the administration in Washington D.C. have impacted services 1,800 miles away in the San Luis Valley. As of right now, there’s a good chance the Alamosa Public Library and Conejos Public Library will not be spared. 

On March 17, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) “be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law,” shrinking the agency down to its absolute statutory minimum. Trump deemed the agency “unnecessary.” 

The IMLS was established in 1996 by a Republican-led Congress and has a mission to “advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development.” 

The IMLS budget was $294.8 million, including more than $211 million dedicated to library services through the Library Services Technology Act (LSTA), the leading source of federal funding for America’s libraries. 

According to a statement from the American Library Association (ALA), “Libraries translate .003% of the federal budget into programs and services used by more than 1.2 billion people each year.” 

Its largest program, the Grants to States Program, allocates federal funding to State Library Administrative Agencies, which use those funds to support statewide services by, among other things, distribution – through subgrant competitions – to public, academic, school, and special libraries in each state, including Colorado. 

According to a 2023-24 report from the Colorado State Library, IMLS funds paid for nearly 60% of the Colorado State Library’s operating budget, which covers state library staffing as well as statewide services like the Colorado Talking Book Library, which supplies audio, Braille, and large print books for people with print disabilities. 

Kramer says the Colorado State Library has also been of significant help in Alamosa through supporting services that have greatly benefited local patrons. 

“The State Library paid for and helped us set up our Telehealth Hub and the Telehealth Hub in Conejos County, as well,” Kramer said. “Our Telehealth Hub - a special, designated computer with a webcam and some diagnostic tools like a touchless thermometer and pulse oximeter - was used 34 times last year.  

“One patron called it a ‘lifesaver’ since she had driven up from northern New Mexico and would have had to go even farther to see a specialist. It was also used a lot by a woman who needed specialist speech and occupational therapy for her son. She was driving to Colorado Springs every week.”  Imagine the gas money she saved, Kramer adds. 

Kramer also spoke about the role the State Library plays in supporting Alamosa’s monthly book club. “They provide our Book Club sets, so neither the 8-10 book club participants or the library needs to buy copies of our chosen book every month. It might seem small, but if the library had to buy eight copies of a book every month, that's over $1,500 in a year. We might not be able to afford it.” Kramer added that the book club had a total attendance of 113 last year, and one participant said it “made her a reader at age 50”. 

The Colorado State Library also helps bring Colorado libraries together for better deals with eBook providers. “One of our eBook platforms - Libby - was used to check out over 10,000 books last year. That's one for everyone in Alamosa! Each year, they also provide Alamosa Public Library $5,500 to help us buy circulating items like books, movies - even our circulating kits and games.” 

Should IMLS be completely disbanded and the State Grants Program eliminated, Kramer says Alamosa Public Library would survive as the majority of their funding comes from city sales tax and funding for libraries is included in the state budget.  

But if they were to lose their state funding all together, that would be a loss of 14% of Alamosa Public Library’s funding.  

“That means less money available for patron requests and Library to Your Door. Less money for experimental items like Vox books - picture books with an embedded audio player. Less money for kits, games, local authors, indie authors. We'd have to stick to the sure bets, so things would get a little boring.” 

Should the IMLS be eliminated and the Colorado State Library lose 60% of its funding, Kramer said the loss of their support, consultation and resource sharing would have a distinct impact on programs that have greatly benefited residents of the Valley. 

“The future is uncertain for all of us,” Kramer said.  

American Library Association President Cindy Hohl weighed in after the Executive Order was issued. “This is a time for unity. As a community of library and information professionals, we must face these threats by showing up together — library workers, friends, trustees and public supporters — to advocate for our patrons, our profession, and our core values. The existential threats we’re facing now call us to draw on our greatest power: library stories that touch hearts and change minds, especially for decision makers. We ask you to call members of Congress to tell those powerful stories that show the true importance of our libraries.” 

Congressman Jeff Hurd can be reached by calling 202-225-4676, or online at https://hurd.house.gov/. 

 Sen. Michael Bennet can be reached by calling toll free 866-455-9866 or calling 202-224-5852 or online at www.bennet.senate.gov/contact/write-to-michael/. 

Sen. John Hickenlooper can be reached by calling 202-224-5941 or online at https://hickenlooper.senate.gov.