IMLS Says It Will Reinstate All Terminated Grants
The move comes after a federal judge in Rhode Island permanently blocked the Trump administration's efforts to shut down the agency via executive order.
In a major about face, the Institute of Museum and Library Services announced on December 3 that it is restoring all federal grants that had been terminated in the wake of a March 14 Trump executive order seeking to shutter the agency.
"Upon further review, the Institute of Museum and Library Services has reinstated all federal grants. This action supersedes any prior notices which may have been received related to grant termination," reads a brief, unsigned message on the IMLS website, advising grantees to "access the agency's electronic grants management system for further information."
The move comes after a federal judge in Rhode Island on November 21 permanently blocked the administration's efforts to wind down the agency, and as a federal judge in Washington D.C. hears motions for summary judgment in a parallel case to save the IMLS led by the American Library Association.
An appeal is expected in the Rhode Island case.
Andrew Richard Albanese
Andrew Richard Albanese
The restoration also comes as Congress debates whether to keep the IMLS funded in FY 2026. Under a Continuing Resolution now in force through January 2026, the IMLS is currently being funded at FY 2025 levels. And despite the administration's budget proposal to permanently close the agency, legislators in both houses have proposed keeping the agency in their FY 2026 budget at $291.8 million.
That's a $3 million cut to the IMLS over FY 2025, but given the administration’s recent budget blueprint that proposed the agency’s permanent elimination, library advocates say it’s a positive sign. Furthermore, both the House and Senate have proposed a modest increase—about $400,000—for state grants to libraries under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
While the reinstatement of grants is a victory for libraries, it is unclear how many grantees will be able to restart their programs after their funding was cut off.
In an affidavit in May, IMLS Acting Director Keith Sonderling said that of approximately 1,200 “competitive grants” funded by IMLS, only 100 had been earmarked to proceed. Furthermore, in a June 16 report, the Government Accountability Office concluded that the administration's withholding of grant funds were illegal, and noted that the agency had reduced its spending by more than 50% in the first half of 2025 compared to previous years.
In a statement ALA President Sam Helmick welcomed the news that IMLS is restoring terminated federal grants.
“Restoration of these grants is a massive win for libraries of all kinds in all states. Every public, school and academic library and their patrons benefit from the research findings and program outcomes from individual library and organization grantees," Helmick said, "We are breathing a sigh of relief, but the fight is not finished. The administration can appeal court decisions. Congress can choose to not fund IMLS in future years. ALA calls on everyone who values libraries to remind their Congressmembers and elected officials at every level why America’s libraries deserve more, not fewer resources."
