During the president's report at the April 2025 meeting, trustees were briefed on national proposals to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and on how that change could affect state and local library services.

The presenter (board president) summarized resources available on a collaborative website (mywisconsinelibrary.org) created by Wisconsin library organizations to explain what IMLS funds support: efficiencies of scale such as delivery and interlibrary loan services, BadgerLink databases, technology like hotspots used by some libraries, professional development and competitive innovation grants. The presenter noted that the Appleton Public Library does not use IMLS funds for some subscription services mentioned elsewhere (for example, Hoopla), but said some Wisconsin libraries do and would be directly affected.

The presenter also said most Department of Public Instruction (DPI) staff positions that support libraries statewide are funded by IMLS and that a cut to IMLS would hinder DPI's ability to provide compliance support, continuing education and other services to smaller and rural libraries. The presenter reported that some states had received immediate freeze notices but Wisconsin had not, while noting no significant positive updates since the board's prior meeting. Trustees were directed to the website for more information and to consider contacting policymakers if they wished to advocate for federal funding.

The briefing was presented as an informational item; no formal board action was proposed. Trustees asked clarifying questions and discussed museum partners that may also be affected; staff emphasized the site as a resource for those who want to respond.

Directives from the meeting: trustees were provided the informational website and encouraged to inform others if they consider the issue important. Staff did not present grant amounts or forecast which specific local services would be lost, and the transcript contains no vote or formal directive beyond sharing the informational resource.