House Appropriations Subcommittee proposes continued funding for IMLS in FY27

WASHINGTON – Today, the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) approved level funding for the federal agency. The Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-H), which released its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) bill on June 4, included $291.8 million for IMLS: 

ALA President Sam Helmick said,  

“ALA is encouraged by the House Appropriations Subcommittee’s FY 2027 proposal to continue funding for IMLS, especially in light of President Trump’s proposal of $6 million to shut down the agency. House members are listening to library supporters, who have sent thousands of emails and made calls and personal visits to congressional staff, sharing the impact libraries have on their communities. Just days ago, a group of national cultural organizations sent a request for House Appropriators to expand IMLS funding. We hope that the House markup will serve as a baseline for Senate appropriators to provide the robust funding needed to run programs that benefit individual constituents and local economies.  

“We look forward to the full Appropriations Committee's funding allocations for specific IMLS programs. It is critical that state library agencies be able to use their grants to address the priority needs of their communities and that competitive grants continue to provide opportunities for professional development and spur innovation in the information field.” 

The full House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to vote on subcommittee bills on Monday, June 8, with allocations for specific IMLS programs to follow soon thereafter. The relevant Senate Appropriations Subcommittee markup has yet to be scheduled.  

A brief explanation of the congressional appropriations process, from White House proposal to the President’s signature, is available at ala.org/fundlibraries.  

About the American Library Association 
The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.