Federal Funding

Federal Funding in Massachusetts

Impact of Executive Order 14238

On March 14, 2025 President Trump signed Executive Order 14238 eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) "to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law." IMLS is the single largest source of critical federal funding for libraries. Through IMLS' Grants to States Program, for FY2025 the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) was allocated $3.6 million to support statewide library services and grants to local libraries. In the weeks that followed the executive order, IMLS staff were placed on administrative leave and in the President's FY2026 budget, IMLS is eliminated (pg. 39 under Small Agency Eliminations).

In the wake of Executive Order 14238, the MBLC was forced to make several rounds of cuts including the elimination of accessibility training to provide services for the blind and disabled, the cancellation of 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.

On November 21, 2025, a ruling by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell in favor of 21 state attorneys general, including Massachusetts, 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.

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.

IMLS is currently funded at FY2025 levels under a Continuing Resolution through January 30, 2026. Both the House and Senate have restored IMLS funding in their respective budget revisions.

With these major developments, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has started the process of rebuilding its federal program.