MLA Legislative Advocacy - Sample Scripts and Letters 2025

PHONE SCRIPT FOR FEDERAL OFFICIALS (STRONGLY PREFERRED)

Note: You will be speaking to a staffer or leaving a message.

Hello. My name is {_____} and I am a staff member/strong supporter/regular user/Library Friend/ of my {city/town} Library.

I am calling to express strong concerns over the March 14 Executive Order targeting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and urge {Rep/Sen _____} to speak up to the Administration stressing the importance of IMLS continuing to operate as a Congressionally authorized independent agency at its current scope, an agency that has been appropriated funds on a bipartisan basis for decades.

Protecting IMLS is critical to preserving the vital role Minnesota libraries play in education, the economy, and community infrastructure.

{Talk about how IMLS is important to your library and the community your library serves. Support you receive from IMLS, how many people in the community might be impacted, economic benefit.}

Thank you for your time and for passing along my message to {Rep./Sen ___}

LETTER/EMAIL TEMPLATE FOR FEDERAL OFFICIALS

Dear {_____},

I am writing to express my support for federal library funding and stand against the Executive Order dated March 14, 2025, against the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

IMLS provides important support for the services and sustainability of local libraries. IMLS grants bridge funding gaps in local libraries across the country, allowing these institutions to better serve their communities.

In Minnesota, this proposed cut to funding means, {INSERT PERSONAL EXAMPLES HERE}... OR internet access to rural areas, supporting tribal libraries, ensuring libraries can offer interlibrary loan.

I urge you to support funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services to ensure these programs can continue to benefit communities in Minnesota and across the country.

Your Name

Your email and location

LETTER/EMAIL TEMPLATE FOR MINNESOTA STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS

I am writing to express strong concerns over the March 14 Executive Order targeting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). I urge you to join me in speaking up to our congressional delegation and letting them know the important impact IMLS has on libraries in our state.

{INSERT PERSONAL EXAMPLES HERE}

IMLS provides essential funding for services provided by libraries across Minnesota. Libraries are also community anchors, supporting youth and senior citizens, serving people with disabilities, and helping veterans heal. Beyond education, libraries are economic engines, providing jobs, supporting literacy, and serving as community cornerstones. Minnesota libraries cannot do this vital work without the support from agencies like IMLS.

I urge you to join me in communicating to our Congressional delegation to ask them to speak up to the Administration stressing the importance of IMLS continuing to operate as a Congressionally authorized independent agency at its current scope, an agency that has been appropriated funds on a bipartisan basis for decades. Protecting this essential agency is critical to preserving the vital role libraries play in education, the economy, and community infrastructure across Minnesota and the country.

Thank you for your time and consideration.