Trump Orders Dismantling of Federal Museum and Library Agency

The Institute of Museum and Library Services faces an uncertain future as its functions are scaled back and new leadership takes charge following an executive order.

President Trump’s executive order mandates the reduction of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to its statutory minimum functions, eliminating non-mandatory components.
Keith Sonderling, recently confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Labor, has been appointed as acting director of the IMLS, signaling a shift in priorities for the agency.
The IMLS, established in 1996, is the only federal entity dedicated to supporting museums and libraries, distributing $266.7 million in grants in 2024 to sustain cultural, educational, and community programs.
Advocacy groups, including the American Library Association and the American Alliance of Museums, warn that the move could harm rural and underserved communities that rely heavily on federal funding.
The future of existing grants and new funding remains unclear, with federal employees at the IMLS expecting administrative leave in the coming days.