Federal grants reinstated for museum & library services

The message below is a synopsis and status update written by Maureen Amyot, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC):

On December 3, 2025, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced it had reinstated all federal grants which were terminated due to Executive Order 14238 signed by President Trump on March 14, 2025. The goal of the executive order was to eliminate IMLS "to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law." 

The IMLS announcement followed the November 21st ruling by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell in favor of 21 state attorneys general, including Massachusetts. Judge McConnell determined that Executive Order 14238 exceeded presidential authority and violated laws governing agencies established by Congress. This ruling permanently blocks Executive Order 14238 and ensures that IMLS can continue delivering critical support and funding for libraries nationwide and prohibits any further attempts to dismantle the agency.

With these two major developments, the MBLC has started to rebuild its federal program.

I’m relieved that IMLS seems to be on more secure footing and the MBLC can bring back some services, but the fallout and damage from Executive Order 14238 on our statewide services and direct grants to support local libraries has been extensive. Under these circumstances, it’s the outcome we hoped for and we’re grateful for the efforts of the attorney general, state and federal legislators, library supporters, and the entire library community to restore funding to IMLS.

Nine months ago, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) removed IMLS staff from their offices and almost the entire staff were placed on leave. The MBLC received notice that in order to get federal funding we may have to demonstrate that we are meeting a series of criteria that fly in the face of our core mission (one we’ve held for 135 years). Reimbursements from IMLS became uncertain, with huge delays in receiving funds. On almost a daily basis there was a new hurdle placed in our way when all we were trying to do was to make sure every person in Massachusetts has access to library services.

Federal uncertainty made it necessary to cut many of the services the MBLC provided with IMLS funds including accessibility training to provide services for people who are blind and disabled, grants to 18 communities to help improve local library services, collections, and programs; and a major reduction in statewide research databases, heavily used by students.

And while I’m grateful for the way we’re all working together to get through this crisis: library partners and affiliates stepping in to fill gaps in services; school librarians working to find alternative resources, librarians helping to get the word out to users, and so much more, what we’ve all been through since March has been extreme, wasteful, and damaging.

Given the extent of what was lost, bringing back services isn’t like flipping a switch. Though MBLC staff have had recurring internal meetings to plan for funding scenarios, executing plans takes time. Kate Butler and Jaccavrie McNeely are looking at databases and funding for digital collections; Jessica Colati is working to bring back preservation grants, Lyndsay Forbes and Ally Dowds are working on direct grants to libraries and trainings for special populations. The whole process involves our Business Office as that team coordinates all of these services through the state procurement process and the vendor contracts that follow.

There are many steps involved in a complex reconstruction like this. When we have more details on timelines and services to be restored, we’ll share them with you.

As the MBLC is rebuilding its federal program, it’s important to keep in mind that federal FY2026 funding levels are still not certain. IMLS is currently funded at FY2025 levels under a Continuing Resolution through January and both the House and Senate have restored IMLS funding in their budget proposals. It is unclear when or if Congress will pass a budget, and if it does, whether funding will be approved for IMLS. Sign-off by the President is also not guaranteed.

There is also the possibility that the ruling that blocked Executive Order 14238 will be appealed.

Please know that our entire MBLC staff is working as hard as we can, and as quickly as we are able under procurement laws, to bring critical services back. The amount of time, effort, and resources that were lost due to Executive Order 14238 and its aftermath will be impossible to recover fully. We don’t know what the future holds for funding, but it is my sincere hope that this marks the end of the chaos.