Action Needed for Museums and Libraries
On March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) directing that the “components and functions” of Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) be “eliminated to the maximum extent” allowed by law, along with six other federal agencies. On March 19th Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling was appointed Acting Director of IMLS, and according to some accounts, is working with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to start dismantling the agency.
Making up only 0.0046% of the overall federal budget, IMLS efficiently provides critical resources to libraries and museums in all 50 states and territories. Please contact your federal representatives now to let them know what is happening, though it is unclear what Congress can do to stop the loss of this important federal agency. IMLS funding was recently authorized through September 30, 2025, meaning that this action is in direct defiance of Congress.
Take two minutes to write to your Congressional representatives and ask them to act now to stop the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.