Federal Judge Moves to Block Dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services
NEWS: Libraries WIN in federal court! A judge in RI issued a permanent injunction stopping the Administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum & Library Services and nullifying all actions taken to do so. Read the ruling: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (More to come from ALA)
— American Library Association (@amlibraryassoc.bsky.social) November 21, 2025 at 3:08 PM
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In a November 21 decision, a US District Court judge in Rhode Island moved to block efforts by the White House to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the agency providing federal funding for libraries and museums throughout the US. With the decision, Judge John J. McConnell issued a permanent injunction, requiring the administration to halt all activities dedicated to eliminating the agency.
Following the release of an Executive Order in March calling for the dismantling of the IMLS and seven other agencies, 21 states, including Rhode Island, sued the administration (Rhode Island vs. Trump). The states argued that as the IMLS was created and is funded by Congress, the Executive Branch does not have the authority to defund or eliminate it, and Judge McConnell agreed. (Read the full ruling.)
Many in the library community hailed the decision as a victory, although the ultimate fate of the IMLS remains uncertain. Another case, the American Library Association vs. Sonderling, is still winding its way through the courts, and the administration could also appeal McConnell's decision. Meanwhile, although Congress has included funding for the IMLS in its draft appropriations bill for 2026, the budget has not yet been approved.