Washington D.C. – A bipartisan group of more than two dozen United States lawmakers, led by Senators Adam Schiff (D-California) and Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), has formally challenged the Trump administration’s proposed elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the sole federal agency dedicated to supporting the nation’s libraries and museums.
The legislators conveyed their “serious concerns” in a letter addressed to the Acting Director of the IMLS, demanding a reversal of actions they argue jeopardize critical services provided by these institutions across the country. They specifically called upon the administration to ensure the continuation of funding in accordance with federal law, as authorized by the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) of 2018 (Public Law 115-40).
Background on IMLS and Its Mandate
The Institute of Museum and Library Services was notably established in 1996 by a Republican-led Congress. Its creation consolidated federal support for museums and libraries under a single entity, underscoring a historical commitment to these cultural and educational pillars. The agency operates by providing grants, policy development, and research to strengthen libraries and museums, enabling them to serve their communities more effectively. The MLSA of 2018 further codified the agency’s mission and authorized funding levels to support its programs.
Lawmakers emphasized in their letter that the administration’s call to eliminate the agency poses a direct threat to the fundamental mission of preserving and expanding access to knowledge and culture nationwide.
Immediate Impact: Grant Terminations Spark Alarm
The lawmakers’ concerns were amplified by recent actions taken by the IMLS that directly impacted state-level funding. They noted that on April 3, 2025, several grantees, including the states of California, Connecticut, and Washington, received notification from IMLS that their federal Fiscal Year 2024–25 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants had been terminated.
The LSTA is the primary source of federal funding for library services, distributed to state library administrative agencies, which then sub-grant funds to local libraries. These grants support a wide array of initiatives, from expanding broadband access in rural areas to providing resources for job seekers and early literacy programs for children.
The lawmakers’ letter explicitly calls for the immediate disbursement of awarded LSTA funding to these states, highlighting the urgent need to prevent disruptions to ongoing programs and services that rely on these federal dollars.
Broader Consequences for Communities
The coalition of legislators stressed that the potential elimination of the IMLS would have “devastating” consequences for states, local communities, and millions of Americans. They argued that libraries and museums are not mere repositories of books and artifacts but are crucial centers for educational opportunity, cultural preservation, civic engagement, and economic development.
These institutions provide vital services that complement formal education, offer workforce development resources, preserve local and national histories, and serve as accessible public spaces for community gathering and discourse. Cutting federal support, lawmakers argue, would disproportionately harm underserved populations who rely heavily on the free resources and programs offered by libraries and museums.
Real-World Impact: The Nevada Example
Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), one of the letter’s signatories, provided a concrete example of the impact of IMLS-supported programs in her state. She highlighted that in 2023 alone, approximately 640,000 Nevadans benefited from programs funded through LSTA grants.
These programs included essential services such as the Talking Books Library, which provides audio resources for individuals with visual impairments; academic database access for K-12 schools and universities, expanding educational resources for students and researchers; youth reading programs designed to foster literacy from a young age; and vital language programs developed in partnership with the Pyramid Lake and Walker River Paiute Tribes, supporting cultural preservation and linguistic diversity.
Senator Rosen’s example illustrates the tangible benefits that IMLS funding delivers directly to constituents through state and local initiatives.
Societal Cornerstones
The lawmakers collectively emphasized the fundamental role of museums and libraries as “societal cornerstones.” They described these institutions as providing “safe spaces for learning and community engagement,” particularly important in an era of increasing digital divides and social fragmentation.
By urging the administration to reverse its plans and ensure continued funding, the legislators underscored their belief that investing in libraries and museums is an investment in the nation’s educational infrastructure, cultural heritage, and civic health. The letter serves as a strong statement of congressional support for the IMLS and the critical services it enables across the United States.
