The Trump administration's drastic reductions to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) threaten essential funding for libraries and museums across the U.S. This move, coordinated with Elon Musk's efficiency-driven initiative, leaves 77 employees of IMLS on paid leave and halts vital programs for students and seniors who benefit from library services. The agency, with an annual budget less than $1 per person in the U.S., had awarded over $269.5 million last year, emphasizing the critical role of these institutions in fostering ideas around American values and accessibility.
The cuts threaten student field trips, classes for seniors, and access to popular digital services, such as the ebook app Libby.
Employees were asked to turn in their computers and lost access to their government email addresses before being ordered to head home.
It's heartbreaking on many levels,
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