A federal judge has allowed the Trump administration to continue its efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a decision that came from the case ALA v. Sonderling. The ruling permits the administration’s proposed cuts to proceed while the legal challenge, brought by Democracy Forward and Gair Gallo Eberhard LLP on behalf of the American Library Association (ALA) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), continues.
Despite this development, a previous ruling by a federal district court in Rhode Island issued an injunction preventing IMLS from shutting down in a separate ongoing case. This earlier decision remains effective.
“ALA is disappointed that the court did not grant our motion for preliminary injunction,” stated ALA President Cindy Hohl. She emphasized that libraries have already suffered service cancellations and staff losses due to funding uncertainties. “ALA will not rest until libraries in every state receive the funding promised,” she added.
AFSCME President Lee Saunders expressed determination to persist with their legal battle. “Our fight to protect our nation’s libraries and museums will continue,” he said, asserting that the administration cannot arbitrarily dismantle agencies established by Congress.
Robin Thurston, Legal Director at Democracy Forward, highlighted their commitment to protecting museums and libraries as vital community institutions. “We will explore all legal avenues available to us as we continue this case,” she affirmed.
The IMLS faces significant challenges following today’s ruling. As an independent agency supporting museums and libraries nationwide since 1996, it may encounter severe cuts affecting its ability to function as intended by Congress.
The complaint argues that these cuts would violate laws requiring IMLS to perform certain activities mandated by congressional funding directives. The case now proceeds on its merits in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Democracy Forward has been active in defending access to information across various states through legal challenges against restrictive measures affecting libraries and educational resources.
The Democracy Forward legal team includes counsel Rachel Fried, Orlando Economos, Kayla Kaufmann, Robin Thurston, and Skye Perryman.
###
