Mon Mar 31 20:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump Administration Shuts Down Key Museum and Library Funding Agency
**Washington, D.C.** – The Trump administration has effectively shut down the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal funding for museums and libraries across the United States. On Monday, all 70 IMLS staff members were placed on 90-day administrative leave, barring them from agency premises and systems.
This action follows President Trump’s executive order designating IMLS as a target for elimination. The move, which the administration claims is not punitive, comes after the appointment of Keith E. Sonderling, Deputy Secretary of Labor, as acting director. Sonderling, along with a team including a representative from the Department of Government Efficiency, gained access to IMLS systems prior to placing staff on leave.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the union representing IMLS staff, warns that the shutdown will likely result in the termination of most grant programs. With staff unable to process applications, the future of crucial funding for 2025 is highly uncertain, potentially crippling numerous cultural institutions nationwide. The agency’s director of human resources stated that the leave is intended to “facilitate the work and operations of the agency,” though the practical effect appears to be a complete halt to operations. The long-term implications for museums and libraries remain unclear.
First Piper 