On Wednesday, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency that provides funding for America’s libraries, announced that it had reinstated all of the grants it had previously terminated, including those to libraries and library organizations across the U.S.
The grant reinstatements come as a direct result of a federal court decision in Rhode Island v. Trump, a lawsuit brought against President Trump by 21 states after Trump in March issued an executive order directing the elimination of IMLS and six other federal agencies. The administration subsequently began mass termination of the agency’s grants, paralyzing or otherwise jeopardizing a wide swath of services in libraries across the country.
Sam Helmick, President of the American Library Association (ALA), welcomed the news, saying in a statement, “Restoration of these grants is a massive win for libraries of all kinds in all states. Every public, school and academic library and their patrons benefit from the research findings and program outcomes from individual library and organization grantees.”
Help us keep fighting for libraries
What is IMLS?
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent federal agency that supports libraries, archives, and museums of all kinds in every U.S. state and territory. Funding for IMLS is authorized by Congress through an annual appropriations process.
IMLS is the nation’s only federal agency that provides dedicated funds for America’s libraries. In 2024, the agency provided $266.7 million—approximately 0.003% of the federal budget—to America’s libraries through grants, policymaking, and research.
Grants from IMLS, the bulk of which are distributed via its Grants to States program, fund a vast array of programs and services that libraries provide for their communities: early literacy development, interlibrary loan, summer reading programs for kids, high-speed internet access, employment assistance for job seekers, braille and talking books for people with visual impairments, and much more.
Libraries across the U.S. have already felt the funding cuts, particularly those in rural areas.
An ongoing fight for library funding
Parallel to the states’ litigation, ALA has led efforts in Congress and the courts to preserve IMLS. ALA filed its own lawsuit challenging the Administration’s actions in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which remains ongoing, as well as led a coalition of organizations in filing an amicus brief in the Rhode Island case. ALA also mobilized thousands of library supporters nationwide to urge Congress to protect IMLS.
Help us keep fighting for libraries
“We are breathing a sigh of relief, but the fight is not finished,” Helmick said. “The administration can appeal court decisions. Congress can choose to not fund IMLS in future years. ALA calls on everyone who values libraries to remind their Congressmembers and elected officials at every level why America’s libraries deserve more, not fewer resources.”
What can you do?
While the reinstatements are undoubtedly good news for libraries and the communities they serve across the U.S., your voice can continue to make a difference. Here’s how you can get involved and support our libraries and the library workers who power them:
- Contact your Congressmembers and urge them to support library funding in next year’s federal budget. Our elected officials need to hear why we value our libraries. Share a story of how your library as helped you, and let them know that federal funding is essential for your library to continue providing the essential services that support our communities.
- Show up for your library at library and school board meetings and town halls with your elected officials to let them know you support your library.
- Become a supporter of the American Library Association. Your support helps us advocate on behalf of libraries and library workers everywhere and fight for library funding.
