The DOGE Axe Arrives at Libraries and Museums.

The Trump administration, in collaboration with the Government Efficiency Department led by Elon Musk, has drastically reduced the operations of a small federal agency that funds libraries and museums across the country. These cuts jeopardize activities such as school trips, classes for seniors, and access to popular digital services, including the ebook app Libby.

On Monday, officials from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) informed 77 employees, nearly the entire staff, that they were being placed on paid administrative leave immediately. One of the workers, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, confirmed the layoffs. This decision came after the recent appointment of Keith Sonderling, the deputy labor secretary, as the interim director of the IMLS.

Representatives from the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403, which represents about 40 IMLS employees, reported that Sonderling met with agency leaders at the end of last month. Following that meeting, Sonderling sent an email to staff highlighting the importance of libraries and museums in shaping a sense of exceptionalism and patriotism in the next generation.

Staff who reported to work on Monday were instructed to turn in their computers and lost access to their government emails before being sent home. Uncertainty about when or if they will return to their jobs persists. One employee expressed that the situation is heartbreaking in many ways.

The annual budget of the IMLS is less than one dollar per person in the U.S. Despite this, the agency awarded over $269.5 million to libraries and museums last year, according to its grant database. Much of the funding is distributed as reimbursements, but there are now no staff to manage the payments of previously allocated funds. According to the union, the lack of personnel may lead to the termination of most granted scholarships.

Approximately 65% of the funding was designated for different states, each with a minimum of about $1.2 million. This money can be used for state initiatives or to cover expenses of local institutions such as museums and libraries, including staff training and management software. California and Texas have received the largest allocations, $12.5 million and $15.7 million, respectively.

Specific projects have also benefited, such as a museum in Idaho that had planned to allocate $10,350 for school trips, or a museum in North Carolina that received $23,500 for art workshops for seniors. Several Indigenous tribes have benefited from these grants to acquire apps that provide free access to ebooks and audiobooks.

The founder and CEO of OverDrive, which develops Libby, noted that they have been lobbying Congress and state legislatures for more library funding, emphasizing that there is no evidence that federal funds have been misused. Experts warn that the reduction of the IMLS could force museums and libraries to limit their services, particularly affecting those in rural areas and the most vulnerable.

The creation of the IMLS dates back to a bipartisan law from 1996, but certain groups and politicians have expressed concern over public access to content they deem inappropriate. The current situation could lead to a showdown between Trump officials, Congress, and federal courts, as libraries and museums brace for a potentially significant adjustment to their services.