The Trump Administration’s target on the Institute of Museum and Library Services has set administrations back with a halting stop as their federal fundings have been nearly entirely eliminated. This executive order set out to increase power to the state libraries, however has put a detrimental effect on the more local based institutions. Specifically, Hingham Public Schools will face the consequences of the federal funding cuts next year as the town loses access to many resources it once had.
According to the Massachusetts Library Board of Commissioners, executive order 14238 will discontinue Hingham’s Access to indispensable resources such as Boston Globe Article Archive, Britannica Moderna, Petersens Career prep and more. Additionally, the school will lose access to Gale Database’s health and wellness, environmental, biography, global issues, science, US History, World History, and Literature Reforms resources.
Students’ annual research papers or even weekly assignments require scholarly sources and studies that are provided by databases such as Gale and Brittanica. Junior Katie Kracunas who recently finished up her AP Research course and AP United States History course claims, “I can attest that neither my AP research paper nor my National History Day project could have gone without the resources we’re losing access to.” Similarly, junior Brooke Pryor just finished her English research paper on the Civil War, making up a significant portion of her fourth quarter grade. She describes, “I definitely used the Gale United States History database a lot throughout my paper and it’s hard to imagine how I could’ve gone without it.” Heading into the 2025-2026 school year, individuals’ learning is at risk during such crucial years as many begin the college application process and knowledge is such a vital tool.
Looking at faculty opinions, United States History teacher Ms. O’Connor is certainly familiar with the school’s research sources. Each one of her students must complete a National History Day project for their mid-year grade where she aids on how to obtain the most fruitful research and information possible.
“It’s really disappointing that we’ve lost access to research sources that students and teachers rely upon.”, Ms. O’Connor admits. “Limiting access to knowledge is never productive for students.” Clearly, the Hingham school district will assuredly take a hit from the diminishment of so many vital research tools.
Due to the limitations recently applied to Hingham’s researching abilities, working around the setbacks limiting the town’s knowledge is always crucial during times of uncertainty. For the meantime, consider contacting representatives, supporting Hingham Public Library, and utilizing state library resources as possible temporary solutions.
