Dear friends,
Apologies for writing about the Institute of Museum and Library Studies (IMLS) and its troubled future again, but we have an update and opportunity. This is an important issue, and I urge you to read on.
Update: Two lawsuits were filed in response to The Administration’s efforts to dismantle the IMLS: The first suit, Rhode Island vs. Trump, saw 21 state attorneys general sue The Administration. Judge John J. McConnell issued a preliminary injunction in mid-May. This remains in effect while the Court considers the merits of the case. In the second lawsuit, ALA vs. Sonderling, Judge Richard J. Leon denied Plaintiff’s request for a preliminary injunction and essentially reset the case back to square one.
This is both mixed and temporary news. Yes, lawsuits to protect IMLS are underway, but their ultimate success is to be determined, and 2025 IMLS funding is secure. The Administration has recommended defunding the IMLS of its current budget of $330 million dollars (0.005% of the Federal Budget) to $6 million within the budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, and those monies would be used to close the IMLS starting in 2026. See p. 1105 in this link to the Technical Supplement to the 2026 Budget x Appendix Office of Management and Budget.
Opportunity: The 2026 budget proposal is just that, a proposal, it is not set; we can make a difference by calling and writing our congressional representatives and telling them to continue fully funding the IMLS. Time and again you have risen to the occasion and made your voice heard in support of Skidompha and Libraries in general, and we are so proud of the strength and fortitude of our community. Therefore, I am humbly asking again for you to please rally to the cause and make those calls. I’m including a few links below to help with this task:
Find your Congressional Representatives
Tell Congress to #FundLibraries
Call on Appropriations Committees to Fund Libraries in FY26
ALA FAQ Executive Order Targeting IMLS
Please click on the links above and contact your representatives to tell them IMLS needs funding. Your voice has power, and we can do this together.
Be well,
Matthew
Matthew Graff
Executive Director
Skidompha Public Library