The library world—and Americans in general—received bad news late today when a federal judge declined to block the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
The ruling, issued in ALA v. Sonderling, will allow the administration’s cuts to the independent agency while the case proceeds. The case was brought by Democracy Forward and Gair Gallo Eberhard LLP on behalf of the American Library Association (ALA) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
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On May 6, a federal district court in Rhode Island issued a preliminary injunction in a separate case, prohibiting the agency from shutting down while that case is pending. That decision remains in effect.
With today’s ruling, IMLS—a non-partisan and independent agency dedicated to supporting and funding museums and libraries and the crucial community services they provide in every state across the country—may face devastating cuts to grants and services that will make it impossible to operate as required by Congress. The case will now proceed on the merits in the United States District Court for 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 funding promised and IMLS is back in full force to meet the information needs of all Americans,” said ALA President Cindy Hohl in a statement.
IMLS was first created and funded by Congress in 1996 and charged with supporting America’s libraries and museums. The agency has had bipartisan support throughout its history, having been reauthorized under the Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations. IMLS is bound by laws requiring that the agency conduct certain activities to support libraries and report on important issues to Congress. The complaint explains that cutting programs at IMLS will violate the law by eliminating programs Congress has provided funding for and directed IMLS to undertake.
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Photo by Shannon Finney.
