On March 14, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (I.M.L.S.), as well as six other government entities, to be “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” This order comes in the midst of cuts to numerous federal organizations, and follows a barrage of censorship by the new administration. The American Library Association (A.L.A.) has publicly condemned the order, and libraries across the country are now fighting to keep their programs running. The attempted elimination of the I.M.L.S. threatens Americans’ access to science and essential community services, and stifles the free exchange of ideas that is essential for democracy.

According to the Associated Press, the I.M.L.S. “distributes thousands of grants nationwide, totaling in recent years to more than $200 million annually.” The executive order, titled “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” states that the I.M.L.S. is “considered unnecessary” by the government, despite taking up just 0.0046% of the federal budget, according to N.P.R. The order goes on to declare that the listed entities “shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.” Other government entities targeted by this order include the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the United States Agency for Global Media. This week, Keith Sonderling was appointed as the new acting director of the I.M.L.S. Sonderling announced his goal to “revitalize I.M.L.S. and restore focus on patriotism, ensuring we preserve our country’s core values, promote American exceptionalism, and cultivate love of country in future generations,” according to the I.M.L.S. 

The day after the executive order was signed, the A.L.A. released a statement condemning the executive order and urging the administration to reconsider. “By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administration’s executive order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer,” the statement read. The A.L.A. warned that this action puts numerous essential community services at risk, including early literacy development, employment assistance, access books for people with visual impairments, veterans’ telehealth spaces, and much more. PEN America also published a response to the executive order: “as an organization dedicated to books and literature, we call on Congress to ensure the I.M.L.S. remains strong, independent, and robustly funded,” they said. 

A March 19 article by Hannah Weinberg, published on the American Libraries website and titled “Tracking the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Libraries,” details all of the actions that have been taken against libraries over the past two months. These have included the mass firings of federal workers and the removal of data in an attempt to censor information that discusses gender, equality, race, or any other issue deemed by the administration as relating to D.E.I. Schools and libraries across the country are also facing book bans; the Guardian reported in February that Pentagon schools worldwide had temporarily suspended access to all library books so that officials could conduct a “compliance review” relating to D.E.I.

This executive order is another dangerous step in the Trump administration’s campaign to silence minority groups, including immigrants, the L.G.B.T.Q.+ community, disabled individuals, B.I.P.O.C. individuals, women, and the lower class. Libraries serve as a backbone for our communities, providing vital functions as centers for learning, career development, and social connection. Healthy democracy relies on the free exchange of ideas, and the dismantling of libraries will negatively impact us all.

According to the A.L.A., “at this time, it is not fully clear which agency functions the Administration will deem to be ‘statutorily required’,” and it remains uncertain what the exact ramifications of this order will be. The A.L.A.’s F.A.Q. on the executive order explains several ways the decision could be reversed, which could include a new law made by Congress, a court decision to overturn provisions or actions of the executive order based on a Constitutional or federal law violation, and a modification or revision of the order by the president. Currently, librarians and advocates across the country are working to keep libraries running. The A.L.A. has set up an email campaign urging Congress to overturn the order, and is currently collecting first-hand library stories to use in public advocacy.