The President’s FY 2027 budget submitted to Congress in April 2026 once again proposes to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Advocacy is key to maintaining federal funding. 

In March 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order intended to dismantle the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The agency was ordered to reduce services and personnel to the minimum amount required to perform the functions required by law. Beginning April 2025, IMLS began sending termination notices to numerous grantees. In May 2025, the President’s FY 2026 budget request proposed to eliminate IMLS. 

The American Library Association responded to these proposed cuts with public advocacy and litigation. In addition, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and 21 of the state attorneys general filed suits to restore IMLS. In May 2025, the Court issued a restraining order to stop the cuts and in November 2025, the Court ruled to overturn administrative actions and reinstate all terminated grants to libraries and block the termination of employees.   

In February 2026 (FY 2026), Congress reaffirmed its support for IMLS and provided $292 million in federal funding for IMLS programming. Some examples of library services commonly funded through IMLS grants include Talking Books and Braille Library services, inter-library loan programs, bookmobiles, literacy programs, small-business and entrepreneurship programs, technology classes for jobseekers, summer reading programs for families, and library delivery for older Americans.