ACRL Opposes Elimination of IMLS

CHICAGO - The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) strongly supports the American Library Association’s (ALA) statement regarding the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). ACRL deplores the executive order issued by the Trump administration on March 14, 2025, and acknowledges the negative impact this would have on academic and research institutions.

“IMLS has consistently provided crucial support to American colleges and universities, both public and private, driving significant advancements in research, teaching, and information access,” said ACRL President Leo Lo, “The elimination of IMLS funding would substantially diminish academic libraries’ capacity to enhance knowledge creation, innovation, and equitable access to information for students, scholars, faculty, and the broader public. This move undermines our collective commitment to education, research, and intellectual growth.”

IMLS is a vital federal agency that represents the largest source of federal funding specifically directed toward academic and research libraries in the United States. Included in fiscal year 2024 grant recipients, universities and colleges used IMLS grant funds for the following programs and services:

• Completion of case studies to address the accessibility needs of d/Deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) patrons in academic libraries.
• Development of a pilot 3D “Digital Herbarium,” an interactive 3D digital exhibit and learning system that provides an open access environment to learn and research botany with the goal of implementation of an open-source software solution.
• Investigation of academic libraries’ current and potential role for mental health resources.
• A study on how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) might enhance data curation.
• Launch of a Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Incubator Program to address the challenge of limited AI adoption in university libraries.
• Exploration on how to enhance the accessibility of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) for blind and low-vision (BLV) library users.
• Creation of a student-centered outreach model for academic archives with the goal to enhance student engagement with archives, benefiting librarians, archivists, educators, and students nationwide.

Loss of IMLS funding would disproportionately harm smaller, rural, and historically underserved institutions, limiting their ability to serve their communities effectively.

The ACRL Plan for Excellence and the ACRL Legislative Agenda position ACRL to be an advocate for policies pertaining to funding and enhancement of academic and research librarianship. All members are encouraged to Show Up for Our Libraries and sign-up for action alerts.

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The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) is the higher education association for academic libraries and library workers. Representing nearly 8,500 individuals and libraries, ACRL (a division of the American Library Association) develops programs, products, and services to help those working in academic and research libraries learn, innovate, and lead within the academic community. Founded in 1940, ACRL is committed to advancing learning, transforming scholarship, and creating diverse and inclusive communities. Find ACRL on the web, Facebook, Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and YouTube.