1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is under threat from the Trump administration's executive order that seeks to reduce it to only its "statutory functions." This order could severely disrupt IMLS's core responsibilities, such as providing critical federal funding to state libraries through the Grants to States program. This program, established by Congress in the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018, supports essential services like interlibrary loans, statewide databases and collections, and systems that bolster public, school, and academic libraries across the country. Cutting this funding would deal a devastating blow to library infrastructure nationwide. Furthermore, the executive order undermines other statutorily mandated IMLS initiatives like the National Leadership Grants, Services for Native Americans Program, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, and Museum Services Program – all vital components of the library ecosystem serving Americans for generations. We cannot allow the administration to erode this long-standing federal-state partnership that sustains libraries and the invaluable resources they provide to communities. It is imperative that Congress acts to safeguard IMLS's legislated obligations, especially the Grants to States funding guaranteed under Section 9141 of the law. Losing this integral financial support risks crippling library programs and services across every state. Congress must hold firm against the administration's attempts to defund IMLS and preserve these essential pillars of our nation's library infrastructure.