Court Urged to Protect IMLS from Executive Order Threatening Services

In an ongoing legal battle that could reshape the landscape of cultural institutions across the United States, a coalition of esteemed library, museum, and cultural organizations has voiced its opposition against a controversial executive order. The order, which seeks to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), has faced stiff resistance from these groups, represented by Democracy Forward and Miner, Barnhill & Galland, P.C.

Legal Action in Rhode Island

Today, in the case of Rhode Island v. Trump, this coalition submitted a friend-of-the-court brief to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. The brief urges the court to maintain an injunction against the executive order, highlighting concerns over the Trump-Vance administration's refusal to allocate congressionally approved funds, which the groups argue is undermining vital public services.

Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), expressed the union's commitment to defending communities. Saunders stated, “Today, we urge the court to continue to protect federal support for museums and libraries from anti-worker billionaires who are trying to rob our communities of the services we depend on.” The union's members, he noted, play a crucial role in education and job training across the nation.

The Coalition's Perspective

Among the organizations standing together are prominent names like the American Library Association, Urban Libraries Council, and the American Alliance of Museums. Orlando Economos, Senior Staff Attorney at Democracy Forward, emphasized the significance of IMLS by saying, “IMLS is the connective tissue of America’s cultural infrastructure,” underlining the agency's role in supporting both small-town libraries and major museums.

Sam Helmick, President of the American Library Association, called for the court to negate the order and preserve the critical functions of IMLS. “IMLS is indispensable for libraries, museums, and cultural workers,” Helmick noted, emphasizing the agency's role in fostering innovation and opportunity.

Impact on Libraries and Museums

Andrew K. Pace, Executive Director of the Association of Research Libraries, stressed the transformative impact of IMLS funding on local initiatives, which often become global innovations. He warned that eliminating such funding would severely disrupt libraries' ability to serve communities and cultivate innovation.

John Dichtl, president & CEO of the American Association for State and Local History, highlighted the agency's crucial contributions to America's 21,000 history organizations, especially as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. “Gutting IMLS severely limits the ability of the history field to help the public learn from our past and envision our future,” Dichtl stated.

Economic Contributions at Stake

Marilyn Jackson, President and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums, underscored the economic impact of museums, which contribute $50 billion annually to the U.S. economy and support over 700,000 jobs. She stressed that dismantling IMLS would endanger decades of progress and threaten community benefits derived from these institutions.

Concerns Over Federal Support Withdrawal

The brief filed today elaborates on the executive order's detrimental effects, including halted grantmaking and data collection, leaving libraries and museums lacking in expertise needed for public service. The brief argues that these actions would disproportionately affect rural, low-income, and Tribal communities, urging the court to uphold the district court’s preliminary injunction to keep IMLS operational during ongoing litigation.

The case of Rhode Island v. Trump is part of a broader legal effort by Democracy Forward, which also includes a separate challenge launched in April 2025.

For more information, read the detailed brief here.