Trump Administration Places IMLS Staff on Administrative Leave
The Trump administration made a significant move on Monday by placing the entire staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on administrative leave. This action raises concerns about the potential dismantling of the primary source of federal funding that supports museums and libraries across the nation.
This decision comes just two weeks after President Trump issued an executive order identifying the independent agency as one of seven entities that should be “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” Following this directive, Keith E. Sonderling, the deputy secretary of labor, was appointed as the acting director on March 20, succeeding Cyndee Landrum, a seasoned professional in the library sector.
Shortly after his appointment, Mr. Sonderling took a proactive approach by visiting the agency with a team that included at least one member from the Department of Government Efficiency. This team was tasked with setting up new offices and gaining access to the agency’s computer systems, signaling an impending overhaul of operations.
On Monday afternoon, after several visits from this team, the approximately 70 employees of the IMLS were summoned by their supervisors and informed that they were being placed on administrative leave for a duration of 90 days. During this period, they are prohibited from accessing the agency’s facilities or its computer systems. “This action is not punitive but rather is taken to facilitate the work and operations of the agency,” stated Antoine L. Dotson, the agency’s director of human resources, in a letter obtained by The New York Times.
The future of various grant programs administered by the IMLS remains uncertain. However, the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents the agency’s staff, issued a statement indicating that the absence of personnel has halted all processing of applications for 2025 grants. “Without staff to administer the programs, it is likely that most grants will be terminated,” the statement read, highlighting the precarious situation faced by museums and libraries that rely on this crucial funding.
