ALA, ARL, COSLA, EveryLibrary, SAA, ULC, and Others Call on Congress to Fund IMLS

Today, ten cultural organizations, including the American Library Association (ALA),  called on Congress to expand federal funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in its fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations bills, which are scheduled for markup by a House Appropriations Subcommittee later this week.

Addressed to members of the House and Senate Appropriations Labor-Health and Human Services-Education and Related Agencies Subcommittees, who will decide funding levels for IMLS, the coalition letter states:

Museums, libraries, and archives form the bedrock of our nation and communities, long serving as gateways to knowledge, literacy, workforce skills, culture, and civic life in uniquely American ways. As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, we should in turn celebrate and embrace the enduring, intrinsic contributions of these institutions to American history, society, and our economy.

Among the vital programs funded by IMLS is the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), which supports a range of services and technology to every community in the United States. The only federal program providing funds exclusively for libraries, LSTA supports state library agencies through formula grants as well as the work of public, school, academic and special libraries. LSTA competitive grants support academic research and the development of future librarians trained in 21st century information trends.

ALA President Sam Helmick said, “For many, the library is the only no-fee access to information, education and career development. For a modest investment of less than 0.01% of the federal budget, LSTA and IMLS support students, families, businesses and job seekers, military families, future librarians, professional research and so many more. Under-supporting IMLS leaves families behind.”

As in FY 2026, the Trump administration’s FY 2027 budget request targets IMLS for elimination. Last year, Congress rejected the White House proposal and provided funding increases for LSTA.

Signatories on the IMLS funding letter were the American Alliance of Museums, American Library Association, Association of Research Libraries, Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, Denver Public Library, EBSCO Information Services, EveryLibrary, Society of American Archivists and Urban Libraries Council.

Direct to Full Text Letter
3 pages; PDF.