On April 9th, 2026, The American Library Association (ALA), the largest library association in the world, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the largest union of cultural workers in the U.S., reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to continue the work of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS is the only federal agency dedicated to providing funding for the nation’s libraries. Additionally, the IMLS provides coordination, research, and funding for museums, public gardens, aquariums, zoos, and other cultural institutions. It also assists in supporting early childhood education, workforce development, digital access, and public learning spaces in communities across the country. The lawsuit cited that the cuts ordered by President Trump were illegal because they lacked Congressional approval.
“When the administration began shuttering IMLS last year, it set off a chain reaction. Libraries across the country started cutting hours, staff, and services people rely on,” said ALA President Sam Helmick. “This settlement protects life-changing library services for communities across the country. ALA will continue to defend every American’s freedom to read and learn.”
“Today is a victory for every community that depends on libraries and museums as gateways to opportunity, learning, and connection,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “Thanks to these efforts, this vital funding is protected in every state in the country, so our communities can continue to have access to these essential places of learning.”
The American Library Association has existed since October 6th, 1876, where at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, 103 librarians responded to a call for a convention (90 men and 13 women). The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees was founded in 1935 under a simple idea: that professional civil service is essential to a strong democracy. The business of people should be led by individuals that serve their communities, not those who have close connections to politicians. In 1938, President FDR recognized the value of these libraries and created his own Presidential Library to store records from his administrations. This tradition has been followed by seventeen other Presidents, including President Trump, a contradiction to this very lawsuit.
I can vividly remember visiting my local library. It had computers, movies, a big carpet to sit and read books on, and all the comic books I could ever want. I remember visiting the zoo, seeing all of the animals and really wanting to see the cool snakes and sharks. These experiences are core memories of mine and without them, I certainly wouldn’t have been this curious about the world. Additionally, if I hadn’t gone to the libraries in my community and the one at my school, I wouldn’t be sitting at my computer typing these words. Libraries, zoos, museums, and other similar places are the birthplace of curiosity. They made learning fun and they made the world seem magical. With this lawsuit successfully protecting these valuable places, more children would grow to love and care about learning and the world around them. This is a victory for preserving the past and guaranteeing the country’s future.
Acknowledgement: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the individual author, not necessarily Our National Conversation as a whole.
