Trump Administration Moves to Shutter Institute of Museum and Library Services, Sparking Outcry
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency that provides vital funding to libraries and museums across the nation, faces imminent closure following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. Federal employees at the agency are bracing for administrative leave, as the administration moves swiftly to dismantle the IMLS and curtail its operations.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3403, the union representing IMLS employees, released a statement expressing concerns over the agency’s future. According to the union, the IMLS received new leadership appointed by the Trump administration on Thursday, raising expectations that most employees will be placed on administrative leave imminently. The fate of existing grant programs and the availability of future funding remain uncertain, casting a shadow over the countless libraries, museums, and archives that rely on IMLS support.
Keith Sonderling, Trump’s Deputy Secretary of Labor, was sworn in as acting director of the IMLS on Thursday, accompanied by security and staff from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory agency led by Elon Musk. The IMLS distributes hundreds of millions of dollars annually to state libraries in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as to library, museum, and archives programs through grants. The agency’s reach extends to 35,000 museums and 123,000 libraries nationwide, providing essential resources and services to communities across the country.
In a statement released by the IMLS, Sonderling emphasized his commitment to aligning the agency with the Trump administration’s priorities. "I am committed to steering this organization in lockstep with this Administration to enhance efficiency and foster innovation," Sonderling stated. "We will revitalize IMLS and restore focus on patriotism, ensuring we preserve our country’s core values, promote American exceptionalism, and cultivate love of country in future generations." Sonderling’s statement did not address the concerns regarding potential employee layoffs or the future of grant programs.
The union noted that Sonderling and DOGE staff met with agency leaders but did not directly interact with the IMLS’s workforce of fewer than 100 employees. Despite the lack of direct engagement, the union expressed optimism that Sonderling, an employment lawyer by trade, would treat employees with respect and adhere to federal law. In an email to staff, Sonderling underscored the importance of libraries and museums in shaping the next generation’s perception of American exceptionalism and patriotism, signaling a potential shift in the agency’s focus.
President Trump’s executive order, issued on March 14, mandates the elimination of the IMLS "to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law." The order stipulates that the IMLS must be reduced to its "statutory functions" and that all "non-statutory components and functions" must be eliminated. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended the executive order as an effort to cut bureaucracy and improve services for the American people. "President Trump’s executive order is cutting bureaucracy and bloat to deliver better services for the American people," Kelly said. "With Keith Sonderling at the helm, the Institute of Museum and Library Services will be able to better showcase American exceptionalism with greater efficiency for the public."
A White House Fact Sheet accompanying the executive order identified the IMLS and six other agencies as targets for budget cuts, citing the Department of Government Efficiency’s assessment. The administration argues that eliminating these agencies will save taxpayer dollars, reduce unnecessary government spending, and streamline government priorities. However, the IMLS cannot be closed outright because Congress established it as an independent agency in 1996.
The move to dismantle the IMLS is part of a broader trend of the Trump administration targeting federal agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development. The administration has effectively rendered these agencies defunct by drastically reducing their staff and resources. In a recent incident, police assisted DOGE officials in gaining access to the U.S. Institute of Peace office after agency leaders denied them entry, citing the organization’s status as an independent entity.
The IMLS supports museums, libraries, archives, and similar organizations through grants, with the bulk of its budget allocated to basic library services such as high-speed internet access, Braille and talking books for people with visual impairments, and workforce development training. During the 2024 fiscal year, the IMLS was budgeted more than $294 million, and it awarded $266.7 million in grants to museums, libraries, and archives across the country.
The American Alliance of Museums expressed strong opposition to the executive order, warning that it threatens jobs, education, conservation, and community programs. The Alliance also challenged the White House’s efficiency argument, noting that the IMLS receives only 0.0046% of the federal budget. "This agency is incredibly efficient and does incredible work with the small amount of resources they are given," said American Alliance of Museums spokeswoman Natanya Khashan.
The American Library Association also condemned the executive order, urging the president to reconsider his decision. "By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administration’s executive order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer," the organization stated. The ALA emphasized that affected services will include summer reading programs for kids and small business support for entrepreneurs.
The IMLS issues hundreds of grants annually, which are searchable in its online database. In fiscal year 2024, the agency awarded 1,252 grants, including hundreds of millions of dollars to state libraries based on population, which are then distributed to local libraries.
Numerous states rely on IMLS grants to fund critical programs and services. In Tennessee, IMLS grants help fund programs that provide books to deaf or blind patrons and maintain the state library and archives. Many states use the funding to provide high-speed internet access at rural libraries. In Wisconsin, the Children’s Museum of Green Bay received $25,000 this year for educational programming and free museum admission to support reading programs at rural libraries in Northeast Wisconsin. The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls received $10,350 for a teen mentoring program that includes field trips. In Texas, the University of Texas at Austin, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, a leading repository of expert advice on native plants, received $115,214 to develop and test its seed bank.
Washington State Librarian Sara Jones warned that losing IMLS funding would impact every library in the state, potentially leading to the elimination of ebooks for rural libraries and a reduction in access to research databases and digital newspapers. The potential closure of the IMLS has sparked widespread concern among educators, librarians, museum professionals, and community members who rely on the agency’s vital support. The future of libraries and museums across the nation hangs in the balance as the Trump administration moves forward with its plans to dismantle the IMLS.
