Overview

• The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) ceased operations on March 31, 2025, as all employees were placed on administrative leave under a Trump administration executive order.
• The executive order, signed on March 14, 2025, aims to reduce IMLS and six other agencies to 'the minimum presence,' with the White House citing concerns over funding for 'divisive' programming.
• The administrative leave has disrupted federal grant programs, leaving the status of $267 million in annual funding for museums and libraries unclear.
• Bipartisan lawmakers and advocacy groups have condemned the move, emphasizing the IMLS's critical role in supporting underserved communities and cultural preservation.
• Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, appointed acting commissioner of IMLS on March 20, 2025, has not provided clarity on the future of the agency or its grant programs.