IMLS Grants Reinstated after Federal Judge's Ruling
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month. This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory! Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
— American Library Association (@amlibraryassoc.bsky.social) December 3, 2025 at 5:18 PM
[image or embed]
On December 3, the Institute for Library and Museum Services (IMLS) announced that it was reinstating all terminated federal grants. The announcement followed a late November ruling by a federal judge in State of Rhode Island et al. vs. Trump. In that case, 21 states had sued the government, arguing that the Executive Branch does not have the authority to withhold congressionally appropriated funds.
The announcement was welcome news to the many libraries, museums, and other organizations that had expected to receive IMLS funding in 2025 (note that NISO was the recipient of a 2023–25 IMLS grant). As American Library Association (ALA) president Sam Helmick stated,
“Restoration of these grants is a massive win for libraries of all kinds in all states. Every public, school and academic library and their patrons benefit from the research findings and program outcomes from individual library and organization grantees.
Helmick noted that 2026 funding for the IMLS is still uncertain, as it has yet to be approved by Congress.
Read the ALA's press release about the IMLS on the ALA website.