The Emerging Leaders A-team

The Threat to IMLS: Why Defunding It Endangers Libraries Nationwide

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is a primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. IMLS distributes  grants to support literacy programs, digital equity, and historical preservation (IMLS, 2023). However, recent White House initiatives to reduce the federal bureaucracy threaten eliminating this crucial funding. If IMLS is defunded, the impact will be devastating—not just for public libraries but also for school libraries that indirectly benefit from its programs.
See an interactive map -https://www.imls.gov/map

 

My school library archives have received grants funded by TSLA, which is the recipient of Tennessee funds. 

• Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB) Grant 2018  -- -- awarded $2,900.00 for archival and preservation supplies.

• Tennessee Archives Development Direct Grant (TSLA and IMLS) 2015  -- awarded $2,000.00 for archival and preservation supplies

The Role of IMLS in Supporting Libraries

IMLS primarily funds libraries through its Grants to States program, which provides federal dollars to state library agencies. These agencies allocate resources for initiatives that benefit both public and school libraries, such as:

• Professional Development – Training programs for school and public librarians.
• Digital Access – Expansion of e-book collections and technology resources.
• Literacy Initiatives – Programs like early childhood reading interventions and STEM education partnerships with schools.

For example, the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program has funded education for library professionals, many of whom work in schools (IMLS, 2023). Additionally, IMLS grants have supported school-public library collaborations that enhance student access to learning resources. 

What Happens If IMLS is Defunded?

The elimination of IMLS would create an immediate ripple effect:

• Reduced Resources for Students – Schools that rely on shared databases, interlibrary loan systems, and digital learning tools would lose access.
• Cuts to Literacy and STEM Programs – Many state-led initiatives funded by IMLS, including school reading programs and maker spaces, would disappear.
• Fewer Training Opportunities for Librarians – Without professional development funding, school librarians may struggle to stay current with evolving educational needs.

For instance, IMLS-funded programs in Minnesota have expanded broadband access for rural schools, ensuring students can engage with digital learning tools. Losing this support would disproportionately impact underserved communities.

https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/state-profiles/plans/minnesota5yearplan.pdf 

Why This Matters for School Librarians

While school libraries don’t typically receive direct IMLS funding, the loss of federal support weakens the entire ecosystem of library services. Public libraries often serve as educational partners, providing resources and programming that school libraries alone cannot sustain. Without IMLS funding, these collaborations—and the opportunities they create for students—will suffer.
Georgia Library Quarterly Collaboration - The Athens-Clarke County Library received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to partner with the University of Georgia (UGA) School of Social Work to become a trauma-informed library.  

Take Action

School librarians and educators must advocate for continued federal support of IMLS. Contacting legislators, sharing stories of impact, and raising awareness within local school communities are crucial steps to ensuring that libraries remain a cornerstone of education and access to information. 

The fight for public libraries is a fight for school libraries, too. Defunding IMLS isn’t just about cutting bureaucracy—it’s about cutting access to knowledge, literacy, and opportunity for millions of students.

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/show-up-for-our-libraries