Trump Administration Aims to Close Library Agency

Title: Uncertainty Clouds the Future of U.S. Museums and Libraries as Key Agency Staff Placed on Leave

In a move that sent shockwaves through the cultural sector, the Trump administration has placed the entire staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on administrative leave. This decision, announced on Monday, raises significant concerns about the future of federal funding and support for museums and libraries across the United States.

The decision to suspend the IMLS staff follows President Trump’s recent executive order, issued two weeks prior, identifying the agency as one of seven federal entities targeted for elimination. President Trump called for the elimination of these agencies “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” In the wake of this directive, Keith E. Sonderling was sworn in as acting director on March 20, taking over from Cyndee Landrum, a veteran library professional with extensive experience in the field.

Upon his appointment, Sonderling paid a visit to the IMLS, accompanied by a team that included members from the Department of Government Efficiency. This team began the process of establishing their presence within the agency, gaining access to its computer systems, and setting up office space. However, on Monday, the roughly 70 employees of the IMLS were informed that they were being put on administrative leave for a period of 90 days, prohibited from accessing the agency’s facilities or digital systems.

Antoine L. Dotson, the IMLS’s director of human resources, communicated to employees that this action was not intended as a punishment but rather a measure to facilitate the agency’s operations during a time of transition.

The immediate implications of this staffing suspension are grave, particularly concerning the vital grant programs that assist libraries and museums. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents the staff of the IMLS, released a statement asserting that, without personnel to oversee the administration of the 2025 grant applications, all processing related to these grants has come to a halt. The union expressed concern that the absence of staff could lead to the termination of most grant programs reliant on IMLS support.

Established in 1996, the IMLS has become a linchpin in the funding landscape for cultural institutions, operating with an annual budget close to $290 million. This funding surpasses that of both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The agency’s financial assistance supports essential operations in libraries and museums across all states and territories, with a significant portion of funds allocated towards database systems and collections management.

The IMLS’s most significant funding initiative, known as Grants to States, disburses approximately $160 million annually to state library agencies. These funds are vital, covering one-third to one-half of the budgets of these agencies, as noted by the Chief Officers of State Library Associations, which represents library officials nationwide.

In response to these developments, advocates for libraries and museums have mobilized extensively, issuing public statements defending the IMLS and questioning the legalities behind actions aimed at dismantling it. A bipartisan coalition of senators, including Democrats Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, alongside Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, has urged Sonderling to maintain the agency’s critical mission, emphasizing the importance of its role in supporting cultural institutions.

Cindy Hohl, president of the American Library Association, sharply criticized the staffing cuts in a statement released on Monday. She pointed out that the IMLS was established by Congress with bipartisan support and had been renewed through various administrations, including Trump’s own approval in 2018. Hohl warned that any significant reduction in the agency’s workforce would jeopardize its ability to fulfill its mandate, thereby impacting the support that libraries across the nation provide to their communities.

In his executive order, Trump instructed the IMLS to formulate a plan for reducing its activities within a week. As of now, however, no such plan has been made public, leaving many concerned about the agency’s future. Following his visit to the IMLS, Sonderling had previously expressed a commitment to align the agency’s efforts with the goals of the current administration, aiming to enhance innovation. He stated a vision of revitalizing the IMLS to ensure the preservation of core national values and promote American exceptionalism.

As the future of the IMLS remains uncertain, libraries and museums—critical resources for education, culture, and community engagement—face an anxious period, awaiting clarity on the federal support that has sustained them for decades.