Washington, DC — On April 7, 2025 all staff at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) were placed on administrative leave for an unknown length of time and, thus, all grants and contracts suspended and, ultimately likely to be cancelled.

American Library Association (ALA) President Cindy Hohl said, “Within months, if not weeks, local libraries will experience the impact of IMLS grant cancellations. Even now, state libraries are making hard choices about what their communities may have to do without: library loans that give rural residents more choices, or talking books for people with print disabilities, including many seniors? Or do they cut summer reading programs for kids? Discontinue programs for veterans or end services to small businesses?”

See full ALA press release at https://www.ala.org/news/2025/03/ala-says-white-house-cutting-opportunity-americans-administration-cuts-imls-staff