Background
On March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order that continues the reduction in staff for Federal agencies. One of the seven agencies named in the order is the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the largest source of Federal funding for libraries. The IMLS delivers essential financial support, investigative research, and strategic policy guidance to enhance the work of libraries nationwide.
Timeline
- April 11 - AISLE, CARLI, IHLS, ILA, and RAILS shared a joint statement in response to changes at IMLS.
- April 7 - The American Library Association (ALA), along with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), files a lawsuit asking the court to block the dismantling of the IMLS.
- April 5 - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joins a lawsuit with 21 other states to stop President Trump from defunding IMLS and other federal agencies.
- April 3 - Several states including California, Connecticut, and Washington, received written notifications from IMLS Acting Director Keith Sonderling that their IMLS grants were cancelled.
- April 3 - A group of publishers sent a message to Acting Director Keith Sonderling expressing concern over the turmoil at IMLS.
- April 3 - Members of the IMLS Board sent a letter to Keith Sonderling, Acting Director of IMLS, asking for clarification about the recent decision to place the staff of IMLS on administrative leave.
- April 2 - Members of Congress wrote a letter to express their concern over the proposed elimination of the IMLS.
- March 31 - ALA issued a statement reacting to IMLS staff being placed on leave.
- March 31 - All IMLS staff were placed on administrative leave and all grants and contracts were suspended.
- March 28 - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias sent a letter to all Illinois library staff about the impact of IMLS funding cuts.
- March 26 - A bipartisan group of Senators sent a letter to Keith Sonderling, Acting Director of IMLS. The Senators are the lead authors of the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA), which was signed into law by President Trump.
- March 14 - Executive Order signed.
Events
RAILS Online Event: Advocating for Libraries
Wednesday, April 23, 1-2 pm
You're invited to join us for a new RAILS online event. This event will feature a discussion on advocating for libraries in regards to President Trump's Executive Order defunding IMLS. This discussion includes examples of what individual libraries are doing to connect with their users. It will also include information about the new 2024 RAILS Annual Report. The recorded version of this event will be available from the RAILS YouTube page.
Resources for Libraries
- Antioch Public Library District Library Services Infographic - Available as a Canva document.
- The Potential Impact of Funding Cuts for Illinois Libraries - See below. This document was co-produced by IHLS and RAILS.
- How Does IMLS Funding Benefit Illinois Residents? - See below. This document was co-produced by IHLS and RAILS.
Press and Media
- Editorial: Leave libraries alone. They more than pay their way. Chicago Tribune, April 13, 2025 (subscription required).
- Illinois politicians, advocacy groups fight back as Trump cuts funding for libraries and museums, Chicago Sun-Times, April 9, 2025
- How cuts for libraries and museums are impacting Illinois, WTTW Chicago Tonight, April 7, 2025
- Central Illinois libraries brace for impact following federal cuts, WMBD, April 8, 2025
- Interlibrary loan program a top concern amid looming federal library funding cuts, WCBU, April 4, 2025
Other Resources
- Show Up for Our Libraries Campaign - The American Library Association has a Show Up for Our Libraries campaign, which includes tools for advocacy, opportunities to share impactful library stories, and ways to take action. One of those ways to take action is the opportunity to connect directly with legislators through their One Click tool.
- More Than a Building Campaign - The Illinois Library Association developed this campaign to support and unite the library community, and to activate stakeholders to take action in support of their libraries. This includes actionable steps, communications, and talking points.