Yonah Bromberg Gaber on Library Funding and Impact of IMLS Grants

Concerns Arise Over Funding Cuts for D.C. Public Library Services

In a city where technology access and community engagement are pivotal, Yonah Bromberg Gaber plays a critical role. As president of AFSCME Local 1808 and a digital navigator with the D.C. Public Library (DCPL), Gaber has spent the past three years assisting residents with various technological needs, including setting up devices and navigating online services.

Gaber emphasizes the library's dual function, stating, “The library provides an environment that fosters not only a love of reading and cultural enrichment, but also of learning and community engagement.” This multifaceted role of the library is supported by funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which finance technology training, staff development, and even hygiene supplies for the community.

However, the potential cessation of IMLS funding poses a significant threat to these services. Gaber warns that without this reliable financial support, DCPL will face inevitable service cuts. “There is no doubt that the loss of IMLS grant funds will require DCPL to reduce their programming and cut staff, either the current programming and staff that is IMLS-funded or other programming and staff that is cut to fill the gap,” they stated in a declaration related to an AFSCME lawsuit.

The potential impact on library operations could be severe, with understaffing and constraints making it harder for employees to fulfill their roles. Gaber anticipates that this could lead to the termination of library staff, further diminishing the library’s capacity to serve the community effectively.