On Friday night, March 14, the Trump administration issued an executive order that called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency in the country that supports libraries, archives, and museums. Since its inception in 1996, communities across all 50 states and U.S. territories have benefited from IMLS-funded grants, research, and policy developments. IMLS funds work that advances collective knowledge, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement, as well as projects that support high-speed internet access and advancing digital literacy, learning and education, civic engagement, sustainability, and services that address historic and growing inequities.
Federal funding is necessary for our libraries to carry out their duties. IMLS directly boosts innovation and literacy through assisting the many public, academic, and special libraries in our communities. Currently, libraries comprise less than 0.004% of the federal budget. The March 14th executive order is a direct assault on the American library system and does not significantly reduce government spending, nor does it provide any reasoning for the elimination of any of the federal agencies affected by it.
APALA finds the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services damaging to democracy. We encourage all government officials to visit their libraries in order to understand how necessary library services are for their constituents. We support the American Library Association’s letter of warning to the new interim IMLS director, who has the authority to cut vital library programs required by federal law. APALA encourages all Americans to Show Up For Our Libraries in this time of turmoil.
Additional Resources:
ALA FAQ: Executive Order Targeting IMLS
ALA statement on White House assault on the Institute of Museum and Library Services