Tom Green County Library Addresses Concerns Over Funding

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Tom Green County Library System addressed concerns Thursday regarding the discontinuation of its funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently eliminated the Institute of Museum and Library Services, placing all of its employees on administrative leave.

“Understandably, there are heartfelt concerns about what this could mean for our library system and the programs we provide. Rest assured, it's business as usual,” the Tom Green County Library System post on Facebook stated. “We are committed to serving our community, and this will not stop our day-to-day operations.”

Library Director Jill Donegan also released a statement that the Tom Green Country Library System is “fortunate to receive strong support from the county, community, an active Friends of the Library group, and other key stakeholders.”

“While the discontinuation of funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is concerning, our current operations remain stable and unaffected,” Donegan stated. “In the past, IMLS grants have played a valuable role in helping us expand our programming and services. According to communications from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, the most likely services to be affected by the loss of IMLS funding are the interlibrary loan program (ILL) and access to the current selection of TexShare databases. 

“At this time, these are the only two services that could potentially undergo changes due to the loss of the IMLS. As libraries across the country are facing uncertainty, we are especially grateful to be part of a community that values and supports its public libraries.”