IMLS Update: Current Status and Next Steps

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has seen partial restoration of operations following a federal court ruling in Rhode Island v. Trump. On May 13, Judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued a preliminary injunction halting the administration’s efforts to dismantle IMLS under Executive Order 14238, which had terminated staff and grants in March. The court mandated the reinstatement of employees and grant programs, prompting the administration to report progress by May 20, including the return of staff members and the restoration of competitive grants in the 21 plaintiff states.

The American Library Association (ALA) has welcomed these developments but emphasized the temporary nature of the relief, noting that IMLS remains excluded from the administration’s FY26 budget proposal, jeopardizing long-term stability for small, rural, and Tribal libraries.

IMLS is now working to reinstate contracts and resume funding disbursements, contingent on the return of key personnel. Despite compliance with the injunction, the administration has appealed the decision, seeking a stay and arguing the order oversteps statutory limits. Agency leaders, including Acting IMLS Director Keith Sonderling, submitted affidavits citing logistical challenges, such as reversing office relocation plans and managing staffing inefficiencies.

Looking ahead, legal battles will shape IMLS’s future. Plaintiffs in Rhode Island v. Trump must respond to the stay request by May 27, with a reply from the defendants due by May 30. A ruling on ALA’s request for a preliminary injunction in a separate lawsuit (ALA v. Sonderling) is expected by May 29. Libraries are urged to monitor updates and consult legal counsel regarding grant reinstatements. While cautious optimism persists, continued advocacy is needed to secure permanent funding and ensure IMLS can fully meet national library needs.