ANNOUNCEMENT: recent federal policy changes are affecting programs and services at the Thomas Crane Public Library

The Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy, MA. Rose Lincoln Photo

UPDATED 6/30/2025: On March 14, 2025 President Trump signed Executive Order 14238 eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services to (IMLS) “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” IMLS is the single largest source of critical federal funding for libraries. In the President’s FY2026 budget IMLS is eliminated. Through IMLS, for FY2025 the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) was allocated $3.6 million to support statewide library services and grants to local libraries. The MBLC currently spends close to $2.2 million of its federal allocation to fund statewide research databases. With no federal funding, the amount that the MBLC can now spend on databases is $500,000.

Due to Executive Order 14238’s federal funding cuts to the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), statewide research database offerings will be significantly reduced beginningon July 1, 2025. However, the MBLC and Massachusetts Library System (MLS), which jointly fund statewide databases, will maintain several of the most heavily used. The Thomas Crane Public Library will independently maintain access to Transparent Language, The Boston Globe Archive, and HeritageQuest Online. There may be a temporary lapse in access during this transition.

For more information about the impact of Executive Order 14238, please visit: https://libraries.state.ma.us/federal-funding-at-risk

The TCPL will lose access to the following databases:

  1. Britannica Moderna
  2. Gale Legal Forms
  3. Gale Academic OneFile Select
  4. Gale General OneFile
  5. Gale Health and Wellness
  6. Gale in Context: Biography
  7. Gale in Context: Elementary
  8. Gale in Context: Environmental Studies
  9. Gale in Context: Global Issues
  10. Gale in Context: Middle School
  11. Gale in Context: Science
  12. Gale in Context: US History
  13. Gale in Context: World History
  14. Gale Interactive Science
  15. Gale Literature Resource Center
  16. Peterson’s Career Prep
  17. Peterson’s Test Prep
  18. Science Database (ProQuest)

Alternatively, Massachusetts residents have access to a wide range of free, high-quality digital resources through the Boston Public Library (BPL), many of which can serve as alternatives to those no longer available through statewide systems. With a free BPL eCard — available to anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Massachusetts—you can access academic databases, online learning tools, newspapers, journals, and more. For a list of online resources available through BPL, visit bpl.org/blogs/post/explore-additional-research-resources

To apply for a BPL eCard, visit bpl.org/ecard

For more information about these cuts, contact quref@ocln.org with your questions.

UPDATE 5/13/2025: International Magazine Disruption – Due to ongoing tariff fluctuations, the delivery of magazines from mainland China has been, and will continue to be, disrupted. Additionally, we have received notice that Qin Zi Tian Xia 天下雜誌, a magazine from Taiwan, has ceased publication.

Dear Thomas Crane Public Library patrons,

We would like to inform you of recent developments affecting our international periodical collections. Due to ongoing tariff fluctuations, the delivery of 6 out of 13 international magazines from mainland China—including World Journal—has been disrupted and will continue to face delays for the foreseeable future.

In addition, we have received official notice that Qin Zi Tian Xia 天下雜誌, a magazine published in Taiwan, has ceased publication and will no longer be available.

We understand how important access to these international publications is to many members of our community. Our staff is actively monitoring the situation and exploring alternative options where available. We will keep you informed as we learn more.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support.

UPDATE 4/8/2025: Please share your stories so we can compile them into a letter to MA legislators in our fight against the executive order and dismantling of the IMLS – Share your stories here! Your legislators want to hear how the president’s executive order, closing the Institute of Museums and Libraries, affects you and your families.

UPDATE 4/8/2025: ADDITIONAL INFO – Executive Order Dismantling IMLS – With the defunding of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, we may lose the Commonwealth Catalog, which allows patrons to borrow books and other items from across the state, connecting different library networks in MA.

UPDATE 4/7/2025: Additional Info – Thank you everyone for your support. One way to help is by supporting the Friends of Thomas Crane Public Library. They are a volunteer-run 501(c)3 that exists to raise awareness and funds for the library. They also run the Friends Bookstore in the atrium of the Main Library, help maintain the beautiful flower beds and fund tons of programming at the libraries. Popular services and programs such as movie screenings, special talks, and museum passes are funded by the Friends! Learn more about the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library, including how to join as a member, volunteer, and or donate!

On March 14, 2025, an Executive Order was issued calling for the dismantling of the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS is the single largest source of critical federal funding for libraries nationwide. As a recipient of IMLS funding, the Thomas Crane Public Library is assessing the potential impact on our services and resources.

While state aid remains intact, IMLS funding helps support essential programs such as the Library of Things, the Cranium Makerspace, and the following online databases accessible to patrons through our website:

  1. Academic OneFile (Gale)
  2. Academic OneFile Select (Gale)
  3. Biography (Gale in Context)
  4. Elementary (Gale in Context)
  5. Entrepreneurship (Gale Business)
  6. Gale Presents: Peterson’s Career Prep
  7. General OneFile (Gale)
  8. Global Issues (Gale in Context)
  9. Health and Wellness (Gale)
  10. Literature Resource Center
  11. Middle School (Gale in Context)
  12. New York Times, The
  13. Opposing Viewpoints (Gale In Context)
  14. Power Search (Gale)
  15. Power Search – Publication Search (Gale)
  16. Science (Gale In Context)
  17. U.S. History (Gale In Context)
  18. World History (Gale In Context)
  19. Agriculture (Gale OneFile)
  20. Business (Gale OneFile)
  21. Communications and Mass Media (Gale OneFile)
  22. Criminal Justice (Gale OneFile)
  23. Culinary Arts (Gale OneFile)
  24. Diversity Studies (Gale OneFile)
  25. Economics and Theory (Gale OneFile)
  26. Educator’s Reference Complete (Gale OneFile)
  27. Environmental Studies and Policy (Gale OneFile)
  28. Fine Arts (Gale OneFile)
  29. Gardening and Horticulture (Gale OneFile)
  30. Gender Studies (Gale OneFile)
  31. Health and Medicine (Gale OneFile)
  32. High School Edition (Gale OneFile)
  33. Home Improvement (Gale OneFile)
  34. Hospitality and Tourism (Gale OneFile)
  35. Information Science (Gale OneFile)
  36. Insurance and Liability (Gale OneFile)
  37. Military and Intelligence (Gale OneFile)
  38. News (Gale OneFile)
  39. Nursing and Allied Health (Gale OneFile)
  40. Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine (Gale OneFile)
  41. Pop Culture Studies (Gale OneFile)
  42. Popular Magazines (Gale OneFile)
  43. Psychology (Gale OneFile)
  44. Religion and Philosophy (Gale OneFile)
  45. Vocations and Careers (Gale OneFile)
  46. War and Terrorism (Gale OneFile)
  47. HeritageQuest
  48. Research Companion
  49. Science Database
  50. The Boston Globe
  51. Britannica Fundamentals
  52. Britannica Library Suite
  53. Britannica Library Young Adults
  54. Britannica Library: Children
  55. Britannica Library: Reference Center
  56. Elementary School Edition
  57. High School Edition
  58. Middle School Edition
  59. Online School Edition
  60. Spanish Edition: Elementary
  61. Spanish Edition: Escolar (K-8)
  62. Spanish Edition: Middle
  63. Transparent Language Online (includes kidspeak)

The loss of this funding would necessitate a thorough review of our resources to determine which services can be sustained independently and which are most essential to our community.

Our team is committed to evaluating alternative funding strategies to ensure continued access to valuable materials and services. We appreciate the ongoing support of our patrons and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

To learn more about what the IMLS funds in Massachusetts, visit www.imls.gov/map

To learn more about the executive order’s impact on IMLS and Libraries, visit www.ala.org/faq-executive-order-targeting-imls