GREENSBORO — President Trump’s federal executive order titled Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy was issued on March 14, 2025. This executive order poses a serious threat to Vermont’s libraries and the communities we serve, by eliminating funding “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” The order guts the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and essentially eliminates federal support for Vermont library networks.
On Thursday, March 20th, the newly appointed Acting director Keith Sonderling wrote in a press release that he is “committed to steering this organization in lockstep with this Administration to . . . restore focus on patriotism, ensuring we preserve our country’s core values, promote American exceptionalism, and cultivate love of country in future generations.”
It should be apparent that Sonderling has no known experience in cultural institutions, and replaced Cyndee Landrum, who held the position at IMLS since March 2024. Landrum happens to be a black woman with extensive experience and education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from Northwestern University, a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Southern Mississippi and is a doctoral candidate in the school of Library and Information Science at Simmons University.
Vermont’s libraries depend on IMLS funding to support initiatives outlined in the state’s 2023–2027 Library Services and Technology Act Five-Year Plan. At risk from this executive order is our interlibrary loan program. Over 60% of our cost for this resource sharing program is funded by a federal grant. This program allows the residents of Greensboro and surrounding towns equitable access to materials, since our budget can’t support a comprehensive collection.
Our patrons will likely lose access to databases like Kanopy or Project Palace, which allow for digital access to flexible learning. Our staff’s ability to access training and continuing education is imperiled. For patrons who are blind, dyslexic, or print disabled, access to the ABLE library, which ensures there is equitable access to reading materials, is at risk. Youth and early literacy programs are at risk. Adult programming that promotes community well being and adult literacy is at risk.
It is no secret that libraries are lifelines in rural communities. Here at the Greensboro Free Library (GFL), patrons gain access to these myriad services and programs, including professional tax preparation, high speed internet, access to printers and copiers, and of course, the freedom to read.
The quote “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free”, is attributed to Frederick Douglass, who was born into slavery in 1818 and learned to read and write in secret. Douglass, an American abolitionist, emphasized the ability of education to empower and liberate all American people.
Literacy is a cornerstone of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness–remember these, our unalienable rights? The ones that are inherent to all individuals? The GFL, in its very existence, is patriotic. The idea of libraries being told to promote American Exceptionalism is not only offensive but also dangerous. Our government gutting institutes that could help the people work through these ideas is the definition of irony. This shows that we are not, in fact, morally superior to other countries.
Our Executive Branch is attempting to defy Congress with this overreach. Trump tells us to perpetuate his propaganda while he boasts that he “loves the uneducated.” We absolutely cannot allow these jingoists to define what patriotism is for us.
On April 4th, New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 20 other Attorneys General (including Vermont’s AG, Charity Clark), in suing the Trump administration to stop this systematic dismantling of our unalienable rights. I urge every concerned citizen to call their state and federal representation and speak up in defense of our rural peoples’ rights.
Libraries are not luxuries. We are essential. And we’re not going down without a fight.
Bianca Caputo is the Greensboro Free Library’s Library Services Librarian.
