President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 14 to cut more government agencies, continuing to shrink the federal government. Whilst all of these agencies are important, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which funds and supports libraries and museums across the nation, stands out to me. 

When I decided to go to college, I wanted to go for a degree for a good backup plan, which I ultimately decided on publishing, if my ideal career, acting, does not work out. English was a no-brainer to me – I have always been a bookworm and have been writing stories ever since I discovered a word processor on my grandparents’ computer in elementary school. Whenever I am stressed, anxious, feeling down or looking for something fun to do, I always turn to my bookshelves to find a new world to fall into.

When I found out on Sunday that Trump issued this order, I quickly became furious. As both an English major and a political science minor, this action shocked me. Museums and libraries should not have anything to do with the political realm, and when have these places become unnecessary? 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, and even before, literacy rates have been decreasing across the country in young people. Teachers are taking to TikTok and other social media platforms to express their concern for their students’ reading abilities, some being drastically below grade level. As of recently, 40% of students nationwide are unable to read at a basic reading level, which is troubling. This could be credited to the pandemic, as so many children were at home and doing school from there which for many proved to be challenging. 

Additionally, this decrease in numbers will prove to be negative for our country, as many who do not have basic literacy may not be able to get jobs that are above minimum wage. This, in turn, will create a problem of a large group being below, at, or slightly above the poverty level. There will also be the problem of those who cannot perform everyday tasks such as ordering at restaurants, writing emails or consuming written media. 

This goes alongside our country’s mental health crisis believe it or not. Many people have abandoned the regular pastime of reading a book in favor of time spent scrolling through social media, consuming short-form content or watching mindless media. I personally have found that replacing time on my phone with reading a book has drastically improved my mood, stress and anxiety levels. However, with people having a lower ability in reading and writing, spending time on their phones is much more appealing than sitting down to read. 

So, what does this have to do with this executive order? Museums and especially libraries, are a great and accessible way for everyone, particularly young people, to gain knowledge and learn about the world around them. 

Libraries have been able to provide internet, technology and books to those who cannot access them at home. Physical books can be incredibly expensive today, and not everyone is able to afford an e-reader such as a Kindle. With thousands of titles accessible in public libraries, the public are able to check out any book they wish to read at any time. As for the Internet, I remember flocking to my local library during the pandemic to use the Internet for school and work. Libraries also have technology such as computers that are there for those who do not have these items at home to use.

And, I am not just talking about public libraries. School libraries, such as Founders Memorial Library, or the libraries you may have visited in your schools before college, provide so much for students. I remember when I was in high school, I was required to use a few books from our library media center for a term paper. I had all of that information at my fingertips because of the funding and support we most likely received from IMLS. 

What President Trump is ordering is startling, especially as it isn’t far off from Nazi Germany’s book burning. What it appears this administration is trying to do is cut off Americans’ access to knowledge so they are unable to challenge their authority. When the president states that this industry is using too much taxpayer dollars, he is in the wrong, as only 0.003% of the federal budget is used in programs for libraries. 

This poses my question, NIU – Are you okay with possibly making our children’s and the generations after lives worse by cutting off access to something that could drastically improve their lives? Or are you alright with paying just a little bit more in taxes to enable this harmless agency to continue the goodness it provides for our country?