Federal Executive Order Targets Institute of Museum and Library Services

Washington, D.C. – On March 14, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy”, directing that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)—the nation’s only federal agency dedicated to supporting libraries and museums—be eliminated “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law”

What Happened:

• Roughly 70–80 IMLS employees—nearly the entire staff—were placed on paid administrative leave in late March 2025; grant disbursals, program support, and contract operations were immediately suspended

• Institutions funded by IMLS, including state libraries and museums across all 50 states, began receiving termination notices for FY2024–25 grants under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and other programs—impacting operations in states such as Connecticut, Louisiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, and more.

Why It Matters:

• IMLS administered over $290–$295 million in FY2024 federal funding, supporting hundreds of thousands of programs and institutions—including nearly 140,000 libraries and museums nationwide.

• Essential services at risk include digital access (e‑books, audiobooks, interlibrary loans, mobile hotspots), literacy programs, workforce training, exhibits, and cultural heritage initiatives—many disproportionately served rural, tribal, and underserved urban communities.

• Libraries receive just 0.003–0.0046 % of the federal budget, yet offer massive public return on investment via access, programming, and economic stimulus.

Voices of Concern:

• The American Library Association (ALA) condemned the order, noting its grave implications for early literacy, job seeker resources, disability services, homework support, and more, especially in rural areas.

• The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) issued an urgent call to action, stating that cutting IMLS would “gut” underserved communities by depriving them of critical museum and library services.

• Notable lawmakers—such as Senators Adam Schiff and Jack Reed, and 22 additional members of Congress—along with 21 state attorneys general, formally requested the administration reverse the funding cuts and honor Congress’s FY2024–25 appropriations plan.

Legal & Oversight Developments:

• On May 1, 2025, a federal court in the District of Columbia issued a temporary restraining order to pause further dismantling of IMLS in the case ALA v. Sonderling.

• On June 16, 2025, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) determined the Trump administration had violated the Impoundment Control Act by improperly withholding funds Congress had approved for IMLS—a second such violation by the administration.

Looking Ahead:

• While partial court protections remain in place, much of IMLS’s operations remain suspended indefinitely, leaving library and museum services in limbo while litigation proceeds.

• Lawmakers, library and museum advocacy groups, and affected communities continue to press for reversal of the executive order and completion of FY 2025 appropriations that legally guarantee IMLS’s operations.

About IMLS
Created by Congress in 1996, the Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent federal agency that advances, supports, and empowers America’s museums, libraries, and related institutions through grant programs, research, and policy development.

Key Statistics

• Annual budget (FY2024): ~$290–295 million

• Supports nearly 140,000 libraries and museums nationwide

• Receives less than 0.5% of the total federal budget—yet delivers outsized social and economic impact

We urge advocates, stakeholders, and community members to:

• Contact their Members of Congress and state officials to voice support for continuing statutory funding of IMLS.

• Share experiences and stories of how library and museum services benefit their communities.

• Monitor ongoing legal challenges and public policy updates regarding IMLS.