DELAWARE -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and 20 other attorneys general were granted a preliminary injunction stopping the Trump administration from dismantling three federal agencies that provide services and funding supporting public libraries and museums, workers, and minority-owned businesses nationwide.
On Friday, WBOC spoke with Delaware public library directors about the order.
"This ruling is a win," says Frankford Library Director Bonnie Elliott. "This ruling proves that libraries are important not just in Delaware, not just in Frankford, but across the country."
"It's great that there's been a response," adds the Selbyville Public Library Director, Kelly Kline. "We're grateful for the advocacy."
Both directors say funding for programs and resources is critical.
"We've been seeing about 2,000 more people a month walking through our doors, which is fantastic," says Kline. "But, with foot traffic, there is a cost to the organization."
"This library is the center," says Elliott. "It is the heart of the community. It's hard to do more when the funding is not there. I don't want to shut my doors. We have to continue to put libraries first and foremost and be our best advocates."
According to the Delaware Library Association, in 2023-2024, Delaware received $1.38 million in federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.