Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Abstract: March 14, 2025’s Executive Order 14238 eliminated, “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law” the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the main source of federal support for libraries in the United States. This study describes the experiences of public library leadership as they navigate the implications of the order, as well as the uncertainty and operational challenges created by the ensuing legal battles. Through a content analysis of data collected from interviews, it seeks to understand how public library directors and senior administrators interpret the policy shift, respond to the associated challenges, and adapt their organizations to rapidly changing federal and legal conditions. These interviews demonstrate that despite their resilience, public libraries in the United States are very vulnerable to funding cuts and political issues.
DOI: 10.17615/9mjh-sq03
Author: Zhang, Lawrence
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Library and Information Sciences
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7155050607
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