For as long as I can remember, I have recognized that access to information is the key to empowerment.

I learned to read at a precociously young age and, upon its discovery, the back corner of the Children’s Room at my local public library quickly became my Fortress of Solitude. The librarians who worked there led awesome lives, in my estimation, with all of that knowledge right at their fingertips; they had the ultimate weapon and they knew how to wield it.

Fast forward to 2025 and the Age of Misinformation and, by extension, the Age of Disempowerment.

Libraries – that Fortress of Solitude for the introverted future librarian, that social connection for the lonely widow, that storytime engagement for the young family, that internet connection to help the job search for the unemployed dad – our community centers of empowerment and connection to information – factual, vetted, edited information – are under attack.

The Executive Order of March 14th, 2025, and the resulting dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) threatens the very existence of that basic community infrastructure.

But citizens are not without recourse.

There are many ways to support and validate our nation’s libraries. Our friends at EveryLibrary have made it easy to write a letter to the editor of your local paper – elected officials do pay attention and your words of support will help.

Another way to share your story is by reaching out to your congressional representatives. You can find your members of Congress and their contact information here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member.

During this National Library Week, we at HSLC strongly encourage – no – we embolden you to champion your local public library and fight for your community’s empowerment.

On behalf of the entire team at HSLC,

Erin Halovanic
Director of Library Services