As the lawsuit progresses, the Institute of Museum and Library Services cuts
According to the American Library Association (ALA), federal judges will not prevent the Trump administration from continuing to cut the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS).
The temporary restraining order was originally released a few days before the massive layoffs of nearly all IMLS employees expected to be held on May 4.
The agency, which allocated federal funds to museums and libraries in the United States, was contaminated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in April, and its 75 employees were furloughed by acting director Keith Sonderling.
Last week, if the Trump administration’s proposed fiscal budget for 2026 is approved by Congress, the IML faces news of a federal refund, allocating only $6 million, which will be used to shut down the agency and close it in early 2026.
As the ongoing lawsuits proceed, the reduction in grants and services is expected to continue. The ruling is part of a larger case, Alav. Sonderlingbrought by Democratic Forward and Gair Gallo Eberhard LLP on behalf of ALA and the United States National, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The case is expected to continue in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia.
“ALA is disappointed that the court did not grant our motion for preliminary injunction. The extent to which some libraries have already cancelled services and programming – and even lost staff in some cases – is evidence of the importance of IMLS. ALA will not rest until libraries in every state receive the foundation promised and IMLS is back in full force to meet the information needs of all Americans,” said ALA President Cindy Hohl in a statement.
Founded in 1996, IMLS is the only federal agency that provides resources for museums and libraries in all 50 states and territories. The same is true for the Museum Services Institute and the Library Program Office. So far, it has gained bipartisan support.
As an agency, IML is legally necessary to support the library and report important issues to Congress. However, the cuts backed by federal funds did not operate in accordance with the initially prescribed plans to violate these laws.
On May 6, a case was filed in the federal district court in Rhode Island, which is still under trial, and the decision is still in effect.
“This administration cannot ignore the separation of powers and demolition institutions established by Congress under Congress. After we obtained the initial interim restraining order, another federal court agreed to our position in the case brought by the state attorney general and prevented the dilemma of the museum and library services institutes. So, in today’s decision, we were dissatisfied and lost one speech in the battle.
