ALA Sues to Halt Trump Funding Cuts

The American Library Association, along with a union representing over 42,000 cultural workers across the United States, has stepped up to challenge the Trump administration’s significant cuts to the federal agency responsible for supporting libraries nationwide. The plaintiffs in the newly filed lawsuit argue that these drastic funding reductions have already inflicted “irreparable harm” on libraries, which are crucial institutions for public knowledge and access to information.

The lawsuit, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Tuesday, comes shortly after the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) dismissed a substantial number of its employees, effectively halting operations that provide essential funding to libraries across the country. The lawsuit seeks an immediate injunction that would not only reverse the layoffs but also prevent any further attempts to dissolve the agency until a thorough judicial review can be conducted.

According to the lawsuit, the funding cuts orchestrated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) threaten to disrupt library services nationwide. The plaintiffs argue that such measures are illegal as they were enacted without prior approval from Congress, which is constitutionally the only entity authorized to dismantle a federal agency. The legal documents clearly state, “Congress is the only entity that may lawfully dismantle the agency, not the president and certainly not DOGE,” highlighting the constitutional battle at the heart of this issue.

The interim director of the IMLS, Keith E. Sonderling, along with representatives from the White House, have not yet commented on the ongoing litigation. Moreover, this lawsuit is not an isolated event; just days prior, attorneys general from 21 states filed a similar lawsuit in Rhode Island, asserting that the funding cuts infringe upon the Constitution and federal law by usurping Congress’s authority over federal spending.

Established in 1996 and reauthorized in 2018 under legislation signed by Trump himself, the IMLS administers nearly $290 million annually. This funding is pivotal for libraries, museums, and archives throughout every state and territory in the nation. A significant portion—around $160 million—goes directly to state library agencies, many of which rely heavily on this money to cover a substantial portion of their operational budgets. For numerous libraries, these funds support essential but often overlooked infrastructure like database management, circulation systems, and inter-library loan programs.

On March 14, the Trump administration had outlined its intent to cut numerous federal agencies, including the IMLS, through an executive order titled “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy.” This order aimed to minimize the size of federal agencies to the “maximum extent consistent with applicable law,” putting numerous programs at risk.

The repercussions of these actions have sparked outrage among library and museum professionals. Cindy Hohl, the president of the American Library Association, expressed strong discontent, stating that the funding cuts constitute an assault on democracy, civic engagement, and the fundamental principle of free access to information. “These values are worth defending,” she remarked, adding that they will not tolerate extremist measures that threaten democracy and the communities that depend on library services.

The interim director, Sonderling, was appointed by Trump earlier in March and has taken steps that have raised eyebrows in the library community. His visit to the agency included a contingent from DOGE, who gained access to the agency’s internal systems shortly after his appointment. Following his confirmation, Sonderling described his intentions to refocus the agency on themes of patriotism and American exceptionalism, suggesting a possible ideological shift in the agency’s mission.

On March 31, the agency placed approximately 70 employees on administrative leave, and shortly thereafter, it issued termination notices to all but a dozen staff members. Among other actions, Sonderling dismissed all 23 members of the agency’s board mere days later.

Additionally, the Trump administration is allegedly extending its efforts to dismantle other cultural organizations. Last week, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) abruptly canceled over 1,200 grants that had already received approval, impacting more than 85% of its planned funding and placing over half of its 170 employees on administrative leave.

Further complicating matters, Trump issued an executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution, accusing it of being influenced by what he termed “divisive, race-centered ideology.” He demanded that Congress eliminate funding for any programs at the Smithsonian that he believes undermine shared American values or promote divisive ideologies.

As these lawsuits unfold, the future of the IMLS and cultural programming in the U.S. hangs perilously in the balance, raising questions about the role of government in supporting public institutions fundamental to civic life and knowledge dissemination. The outcome of these legal challenges could have lasting implications for libraries and cultural organizations nationwide.