Supporting the IMLS Amid Budget Cuts
The IMLS has supported US libraries—now it’s time for the public to give back
The IMLS federal agency awards significant grants to US libraries and museums. Unfortunately, it's facing threats of budget cuts and the elimination of vital team members who support the community needs of library facilities. Here’s what you need to know about the IMLS and why canceling current grants will devastate US community members.
About the IMLS
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an independent federal agency that assists libraries, museums, and archives in the United States. According to its website, the IMLS’s mission is “to advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development.”
The IMLS has four strategic goals it aims to meet when supporting museums and libraries:
- Champion Lifelong Learning. Ensuring all institutions remain accessible to all community members to bridge resource gaps.
- Strengthen Community Engagement. Fostering dialogues incorporating diversity to maintain a respectful and inclusive environment.
- Advance Collections Stewardship and Access. Preserving and managing the broadest possible access to artistic, cultural, natural, and scientific collections.
- Demonstrate Excellence in Public Service. Understanding a continual need for reflection and improvement to the agency’s mission.
The IMLS aims to meet the needs of specific libraries and museums and enhance its services over time. It envisions a nation with complete access to libraries and museums where residents are always free to learn. The agency hopes that accessible information will lead the American public to be inspired by diverse natural and cultural heritage.
Trump's proposed budget completely eliminates Federal funding for libraries.
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Recent IMLS Projects
Supporting Library Services for Native Communities
In August 2024, the IMLS announced 173 awards with grants totaling $5,908,056 to support Native American, Native Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian organizations. Three programs that funded these awards included Native American Library Enhancements Grants, Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants, and Native American Library Services Basic Grants.
These grants were awarded to programs like the “Empowering Journey Project,” a collaboration of three institutions in the Cape Flattery Region of Washington: the Makah Cultural and Research Center’s Archives/Library Departments, the Makah Language Program and Education Department, and the Makah Tribal Council’s Recovery Service and Senior Citizens Program.
This award allows for increased access to catalogs and Makah language resources, which helps Makah community members develop a greater understanding of their culture.
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Honoring Future Artists
In November 2024, the IMLS honored five talented student poets at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in recognition of the National Student Poets Program (NSPP), a partnership of the IMLS and the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. The NSPP encompasses the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the longest-running and esteemed scholarship program for young artists in the United States.
The 2024 National Student Poets, representing five geographical regions of the US, included Marcus Burns (Northeast), Robert Gao (Midwest), Sofia Kamal (Southwest), Anya Melchinger (West), and Nadia Wright (Southeast). In addition to their rewards, these young poets serve as literary ambassadors and share their passion for the written arts with community members.
Save America’s Treasures Grant Program
Established in 1998, the Save America’s Treasures (SAT) grant program was created to uplift the United States’ cultural resources. At the time, the grant aimed to present these awards entering the new millennium. As time has passed, the SAT grant has become an essential tool for historic landmarks nationwide.
In August 2024, the IMLS, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, announced $25 million in SAT grants to fund fifty-nine projects. These will preserve historic collections and nationally important sites in twenty-six states and the District of Columbia.
Explore the online map to learn how an SAT grant has been utilized at a historic site near you and its vital impact on communities.
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The Consequences of Budget Cuts
The IMLS is a critical federal agency, but it needs our help. On March 14, 2025, an executive order was issued to cut grants in California, Connecticut, and Washington. Current IMLS team members have also been alerted that their positions are being eliminated, removing support from US public libraries.
During periods of economic uncertainty, libraries play vital roles in their communities. This is especially true in rural areas where libraries become essential for free literary materials, education, and research tools. Budget cuts will contribute to massive obstacles for US libraries and librarians.
Please contact your local representatives to urge Congress to reconsider its decision to cut IMLS grants. Libraries provide far more than books; they are community centers that maintain accessible educational materials for all people.