Sen. Susan Collins shared a story that resonated with us both: as a young page in a local library, she shelved books, helped readers check out materials and even led children’s storytimes. She worked in libraries through high school and into college, an experience that instilled a lifelong passion for libraries as vital community institutions. Her commitment runs in the family. Her aunt, Clara Collins Piper, was a devoted librarian in Caribou and even served as vice president of the Maine Library Association. This legacy of service inspires Sen. Collins’ ongoing advocacy for libraries.

This past March, we had the honor of visiting Sen. Collins’ office in Washington, D.C., as part of our ongoing advocacy on behalf of Maine’s libraries. As board members of the Maine Library Association, we were encouraged and inspired by Sen. Collins’ deep and personal connection to libraries — and her influential role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Under Collins’ leadership, Maine libraries have seen tangible benefits. In 2024 alone, over $6.1 million in federal funding supported Maine’s libraries, primarily through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This agency is the sole provider of federal support for libraries and museums nationwide, administering grants that fund a range of initiatives, from free gigabit internet in rural communities to accessible services for people with disabilities.

Yet, this crucial funding faces an unprecedented threat. The proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2026 would slash IMLS funding from $313 million nationwide to just $6 million — an effective elimination of the agency. Such cuts would devastate library programs and services that thousands of Mainers rely on every day, jeopardizing access to books, technology training, educational programs and online resources. Small, rural libraries will be disproportionately affected. The storytimes that Sen. Collins operated as a young page? They might not exist in the future if IMLS were to be eliminated.

As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Collins holds a pivotal position that influences the fate of library funding. We respectfully urge her to champion full, level funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in the upcoming appropriations process, as she has in the past. Maintaining robust funding is crucial to ensuring that Maine’s libraries continue to serve as hubs of learning, connectivity and opportunity, particularly for rural and underserved communities.

We also call on all Mainers to join us in expressing gratitude for Sen. Collins’ past and ongoing support of libraries. While this year’s federal budget negotiations remain complex and contentious, we hope she will continue to advocate strongly for Maine’s libraries, upholding the legacy of public service her family has long embodied. With her support, future generations of children will have access to the same learning experiences and storytimes that the senator herself led.

Moreover, libraries serve as lifelines, connecting people to information, technology and one another, regardless of their location or the challenges they face. In Maine, libraries fuel lifelong learning, support local economies and strengthen the social fabric of communities across the state.

Together, we can ensure Sen. Collins and Congress keep Maine’s libraries strong, vibrant and accessible for all of our communities and for generations to come.