The American Library Association on Thursday sent a letter to the new acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Keith Sonderling, urging him to be mindful of the legal obligations that Congress has imposed on the agency.
The letter comes in response to President Trump’s executive order signed last week requiring IMLS and six other federal agencies to “be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law,” and for the head of IMLS to submit a report explaining which of its components or functions are legally required.
Sonderling is Trump’s Deputy Secretary of Labor. He was sworn in as acting director of IMLS on Thursday morning in the building’s lobby.
Tell Congress to Protect Libraries
“We are concerned about the Executive Order’s impact on IMLS and the agency’s important programs and services that benefit millions of Americans in communities across the country,” the letter said. “In responding to the President’s order, we urge you to be mindful of that impact, the purposes undergirding Congress’ creation of IMLS, and the statutory obligations that Congress has imposed on IMLS.”
Microscopic (and Transformative) Funding for Libraries
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent federal agency that supports and provides funding for libraries, archives, and museums of all kinds in every U.S. state and territory and is the only federal agency that provides funds for America’s libraries. Its funding is authorized by Congress through an annual appropriations process. In 2024, IMLS provided nearly $211 million to libraries—the largest portion via Grants to States.
“The President may not impound appropriated funds and decline to spend money that Congress has appropriated and directed IMLS to expend,” ALA’s letter says. “To the extent funds have been appropriated by Congress, their disbursement and expenditure is a statutorily mandated act which may not be terminated by Executive Order.”
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While libraries represent a microscopic portion of the federal budget—0.003%—they are able to stretch those funds into transformative programs and services for their communities and the millions of people who walk through their doors each day, from interlibrary loan to high-speed internet to library services for people with visual impairments and more.
What Can You Do?
ALA urges all Americans to contact their representatives in Congress and tell them to protect our libraries and preserve funding for IMLS that supports essential library services. Constituents should make their voices heard at every available opportunity, such as calling your representatives in the House and Senate; showing up to library board, school board, and town hall meetings with elected officials; and writing letters to the editor in your local newspaper.
The American Library Association amplifies the voice of America’s libraries and library workers and leads library lovers in every community to advocate for their libraries. You can help power our work by becoming a supporter today.
Photo: The headquarters of the Institute of Museum and Library Services at L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, DC. Via Tim1965, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
