The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency funding libraries and museums nationwide, has placed its entire staff of approximately 70 employees on paid administrative leave for up to 90 days. This action follows President Trump’s appointment of Keith E. Sonderling as acting director and a prior executive order reducing the agency’s size. The IMLS, which awarded $266 million in grants last year, now faces uncertainty regarding the status of existing grant programs due to the staff’s leave. This situation threatens to significantly impact libraries and museums, particularly small and rural institutions, which rely on IMLS funding for critical programs and services.
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The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency funding libraries and museums nationwide, placed its entire staff of approximately 70 employees on 90 days of paid administrative leave. This action followed President Trump’s appointment of Keith Sonderling as acting director and a previous executive order shrinking the agency. The IMLS’s closure is concerning given its crucial role in providing grant funding, estimated at $266 million last year, for essential library and museum programs. The resulting halt to grant administration threatens the continuation of these programs, particularly impacting smaller and rural institutions.
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The Trump administration’s executive order mandates the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the sole federal agency supporting museums, despite strong public support for these institutions. This action, part of a broader effort to reduce the federal government’s size, threatens museums’ crucial roles in education, economic growth, and community engagement. The IMLS, operating on a minuscule portion of the federal budget, provides vital grants and support for museums contributing billions to the U.S. economy annually. This decision risks jeopardizing jobs, cultural preservation, and vital community programs.
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John Q. Hosedrinker