Lifetime Arts Statement on the Executive Order to Defund the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Public libraries, particularly in rural and disinvested areas, are lifelines— offering everything from early literacy programs to workforce development to creative aging programs that foster self-expression, social engagement, and mental well-being. These services are not just beneficial, they are critical components of healthy communities and healthy aging in an era where one in four adults over 65 is socially isolated.
Museums, like libraries, are vital community anchors. They are centers of lifelong learning, cultural preservation, and creative engagement—offering older adults and intergenerational audiences opportunities to connect with history, art, and one another. From hands-on art-making workshops to programs that bring people together through storytelling and shared experience, museums enrich lives and foster a sense of belonging. They also generate $50 billion in economic impact, supporting local economies and providing jobs in communities nationwide.
The recent executive order to eliminate funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) threatens to dismantle this vital work. IMLS is the only federal agency dedicated to supporting the libraries and museums that serve millions of Americans. Its grants empower libraries to offer programs that build community, promote literacy, and ensure that people of all ages—especially young children and older adults—have access to enriching experiences that enhance their quality of life.
Without IMLS funding, countless programs will disappear, leaving older adults—many of whom already face social isolation—without access to the continued learning and meaningful social engagement that facilitates healthy aging. It will take away summer reading programs for children, cut off job seekers from workforce development resources, and eliminate internet access for those without broadband at home—a devastating blow given that 22 million older Americans lack broadband access, making libraries one of their only points of digital access and connection.
This decision disregards the indispensable role libraries and museums play in fostering lifelong learning, supporting civic engagement, and providing a sense of belonging for people of all ages. We urge the administration to reconsider this short-sighted action and call on Congress to preserve funding IMLS.
These institutions are not a luxury; they are a necessity. We encourage legislators, community leaders, and all who believe in the power of libraries and museums to raise their voices in support of continued funding for IMLS and the creative, educational, and social services it sustains.
Our country’s libraries have always been places of opportunity and connection. Let’s ensure they remain so for generations to come. Contact your members of congress today and urge them to stand up for our nation’s libraries. Share your stories, amplify this message, and join us in ensuring that libraries remain spaces of learning, connection, and opportunity for all. Need a template letter? We’ve got one for you here.
Learn more ways to advocate for your library here.
Read about Lifetime Arts current project in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Wyoming State Library, Missouri State Library, and Califa.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an independent federal agency that supports libraries and museums in all 50 states and U.S. territories through grantmaking, research and policy development. IMLS administers both federal grants to states, which determine how funds are spent, and discretionary grants to individual library entities.
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Government Agency, Government Agency > Federal, Library, Museum