In response to the column by Douglas Rooks titled “Trump’s goal of an ignorant electorate is coming together in textbook fashion,” published Aug. 7, I appreciate that the author recognizes and values the strong services, access to information and professional staff at the Maine State Library (MSL). The original column, however, contained several factual errors about MSL.

Federal funding that the MSL receives through the Institute of Museum and Library Services was not terminated. This funding became temporarily inaccessible from mid-March to mid-May this year, which resulted in the layoff of eight staff.

That federal funding inaccessibility occurred for all state libraries across the nation, not just MSL. Any implication that the funding was terminated or frozen due to an interaction between President Trump and Gov. Mills is false.

The column also inaccurately suggested that the library remains closed now as a result of this funding disruption. The library is currently closed to walk-in public visits at its temporary 242 State St., Augusta location due to the imminent move of seven linear miles of collections materials from three locations back into the Cultural Building on the State Capitol Complex. The public can make appointments with staff to access our physical resources.

We look forward to reopening to public visits in 2026 at the renovated Cultural Building, along with the State Archives and the State Museum.

Lori Fisher
Maine State Librarian
Augusta