The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent federal agency, has been identified for elimination as of March 14, 2025, by Presidential Executive Order.
The IMLS supports libraries and museums in all 50 states and U.S. territories through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS administers both federal grants to states, which determine how funds are spent, and discretionary grants to individual library entities.
On April 3, 2025, the Washington State Library received notice that the $3.9 million ‘Grants to States’ federal funding was terminated.
IMLS funds state libraries, like Washington State Library, which in turn funds services our customers depend on including The Palace Project, state-wide research databases, historical newspaper access, and the Washington State Talking Book and Braille Library.
Although the federal funding does not fund day-to-day operations at Spokane Public Library, the federal funding we receive from the state enhances the services we provide to the community. Cuts to library services anywhere are always a concern as these actions will have impacts on library users across the state and country, particularly in rural communities. Federal funding subsidizes and increases access to essential research and historical materials statewide, and the state library leverages their reach to expand knowledge sharing for all library workers across the state (public, academic, tribal, school, prison).
Libraries are essential to Washington communities and the cut to IMLS and the Grants to States funding will impact rural libraries the most. They provide free internet, job training, and access to books and resources for people of all backgrounds. Federal funds make this possible. Without them, countless programs and services will disappear, leaving many communities without access to the resources they rely on.
The American Library Association has additional resources for those who would like to learn more, and the Urban Library Council has joined the Association for Rural & Small Libraries and the Public Library Association in issuing this statement.
