For immediate release | March 26, 2025
ALA applauds bipartisan opposition to attempt to eliminate IMLS
Washington, DC - The American Library Association (ALA) today applauded a letter sent by a bipartisan group of Senators that defends federal funding for libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The letter responds to an executive order issued by President Trump of March 14, which purports to eliminate IMLS. The letter was sent by a bipartisan group of library and museum champions: Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
The Senators’ letter states: “As the lead authors of the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) of 2018 (PL 115-40), which was signed into law by President Trump, we write to remind the Administration of its obligation to faithfully execute the provisions of the law as authorized.” The letter continues that the Senators expect IMLS to carry out the programs that Congress has funded in appropriations laws.
ALA President Cindy Hohl said, “The American Library Association thanks the Senators for their long-standing support for IMLS and for acting on a conviction that the vast majority of Americans share: libraries are indispensable to their communities.
“Congress listens when library supporters speak up. We call on everyone who loves libraries to contact their Congressmembers and urge them to protect federal library funding and IMLS.”
ALA is opposing the executive order on multiple fronts. ALA mounted a grassroots advocacy campaign, Show Up #ForOurLibraries, which has generated more than 70,000 contacts to Congressmembers in the first five days after the executive order was issued. ALA sent a letter to newly appointed IMLS Acting Director Keith Sonderling, urging him to fulfill the statutory obligations that Congress imposed on IMLS. The association also is exploring possible policy and legal responses to the executive order.
ALA is calling on library supporters to participate in ALA’s Show Up For Our Libraries campaign by choosing from a menu of actions on ALA’s web page, ala.org/showup:
- Send a message to your Congressmembers
- Call your Congressmembers
- Share ALA’s action alert with colleagues, friends and family
- Share ALA’s action alert on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Bluesky | Threads
- Write a letter to the editor in your local newspaper explaining why IMLS is important and the impact of federal dollars on communities
- Share your story for ALA’s story collection about the impact of federal funding on your community
- Invite your Congressmembers to visit your library
- Sign up for future action alerts from ALA
- Join ALA or renew your membership
- Become a Supporter of ALA
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.
Contact:
Shawnda Hines
Deputy Director, Communications
American Library Association
Public Policy & Advocacy
shines@alawash.org
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