The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has placed its entire staff on administrative leave.
As a small federal agency with around 70 employees, IMLS provides grant funding to museums and libraries throughout the United States.
This month, a new acting director was appointed, following an executive order that reduced the size of seven federal agencies, including the IMLS.
According to a statement from the local workers’ union, IMLS staff received an email notification regarding their paid administrative leave for 90 days, following a brief meeting with agency leadership. Employees were asked to return government property, and access to email accounts was disabled.
What is the IMLS?
The IMLS is an independent federal agency that provides vital funding to libraries and museums nationwide. The agency awarded approximately $266 million in grants and research funding to cultural institutions last year. These funds support staffing, maintenance, and the development of new programs, significantly impacting local communities. For context, the projected budget for the National Endowment for the Arts in 2025 is $210 million.
In 2023, the IMLS financed initiatives such as workforce training programs and support for library staff addressing community needs, underlining its essential role in fostering cultural growth. Users can explore funded programs via the agency’s online dashboard.
Public libraries are primarily funded through local taxes, while federal contributions represent a smaller fraction of their budgets. However, advocacy groups have expressed concern that without federal support, critical programs and services may be jeopardized.
As per union representatives, the future of previously awarded grants remains uncertain, and without personnel to administer these programs, it is likely many grants will be discontinued.
Industry leaders emphasize that rural and small libraries will face significant challenges due to potential cuts in federal funding, which could severely affect their ability to meet community demands.
