Legislative Update -- May 8, 2025
May 8, 2025
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On May 1, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a temporary restraining order to block the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The decision was issued in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Library Association (ALA) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), represented by Democracy Forward and Gair Gallo Eberhard LLP.
On May 6, in response to the lawsuit from 21 state Attorneys General, a federal judge in Rhode Island has ruled that the gutting of the Institute of Museum and Library Services is likely unlawful. This is the SECOND federal court to rule against the slashing of the only federal agency dedicated to library funding.
For more information, visit ALA’s Restore IMLS: ALA Goes to Court.
Call on Congress to Fund Libraries in FY26
The White House proposed a budget for the next fiscal year (FY26) that would eliminate the only federal agency dedicated to library funding, the IMLS. Members of Congress must demonstrate their support for federal library funding, and the deadline to do so is coming up in mid-May.
“Dear Appropriator” letters are sent by Congressmembers to their colleagues, urging members of the Appropriations Committees to support funding for specific programs, like libraries.
As the courts deliberate on the Administration’s attempt to eliminate IMLS, it’s critical that Congress includes funding for this agency in next year’s budget—otherwise, IMLS won’t have any money with which to operate. Similarly, while courts debate the future of the Department of Education, it’s critical that Congress continue funding for Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL), a key program for addressing early literacy.
Make a call to Congress now!
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