Michigan Library Community, This week, the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo ordering a pause in the disbursement of federal funding, effective at 5:00 p.m., January 28th, while federal agencies evaluate the compatibility of this funding with the administration's priorities. This memo included LSTA funds allotted to the Library of Michigan (LM) by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). LM uses LSTA funds to support MeL, subgrants to libraries, continuing education stipends and other statewide library services and resources. On January 29, the federal OMB rescinded the memo. While this has been a rapidly changing, and confusing situation, IMLS has informed LM that, at this time, we may continue activities related to our federal funding as normal. Contracts related to MeL including the MeL databases and MeLCat, were already paid for the current fiscal year, ending on 9/30/2025, prior to the "pause" and any "freezing" of federal funds would not impact the delivery of these services during this fiscal year. Please see Dr. Rice's press release attached for more information issued by MDE. We will be monitoring the situation and sharing information as it becomes available. r. Randy Riley State Librarian Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 rileyr1@michigan.gov<mailto:rileyr1@michigan.gov> (517) 335-1517