*** March 18, 2025
On Friday night, March 14, 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), as well as six other agencies. This set of frequently asked questions is intended to help library workers, library advocates, and library users understand this Executive Order.***
For more information about the Executive Order Targeting IMLS, visit ALA’s FAQ.
Hi friend,
After a short recess, all Congressmembers are now back in D.C., and that means it’s time for us to act. We need all library supporters to call their members of Congressand urge them to protect federal funding for libraries by preventing the dismantling of the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Call your Congressmembers now!
Less than a week after President Trump issued an Executive Order intended to eliminate IMLS, the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the administration kicked off its attempt to wind down the agency’s functions. The White House named a new interim director from outside the agency, who has indicated his intent to operate “in lockstep with this Administration” in its efforts to gut this critical independent agency.
This was clearly intended as the first shot across the bow at America’s 125,000 libraries. But public outcry seems to have forced them to at least slow their plans—our tactics are working. Go one step further than sending a letter to Congress: Give them a call, and make sure they listen to you. Our action page gives you all the steps you need to have your say, including a suggested sample script for your call.
Urge Congress to protect IMLS!
Phone calls only take a couple minutes and send a strong message to elected officials that their constituents care enough to take time out of their day to make their voices heard. It’s extremely important in the immediate aftermath of the Administration’s takeover of IMLS that Congress receives a flood of calls opposing its dismantling.
I challenge you to not only make a call to all of your members of Congress using our easy-to-use action page, but also to share this call to action with three people you know who love libraries as much as you do. Help us keep this momentum going.
Thank you for showing up for our libraries,
Larra Clark
Deputy Director, Public Policy and Advocacy
P.S. Want a refresher about the Executive Order and IMLS?
Check out our FAQ.Show up for our libraries by becoming a Supporter of the American Library Association. Your tax-deductible gift will help strengthen our work to transform library awareness to advocacy.