Overview

• President Trump's March 14 executive order reduced the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to its statutory minimum, effectively dismantling its broader functions.
• On March 31, all IMLS employees were placed on administrative leave, halting operations and freezing the processing of grants for 2025 and 2026.
• The IMLS, established in 1996, is the largest federal funding source for libraries and museums, providing $266 million in grants in 2024 alone.
• Advocacy groups and organizations, including the Chief Officers of State Library Associations, warn of severe consequences for underserved communities reliant on IMLS funding.
• The American Federation of Government Employees has stated that most grants are likely to be terminated without staff to administer the programs.