Grant Guidelines for Libraries and Museums Take "Chilling" Political Turn Under Trump

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

Grant Guidelines for Libraries and Museums Take "Chilling" Political Turn Under Trump

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a key federal agency supporting cultural institutions across the nation, is facing scrutiny over its latest grant application cycle for 2026. Previously known for its non-partisan approach focused on merit, the IMLS has introduced new guidelines that explicitly welcome projects aligning with President Donald Trump's vision for America. This shift has been described by some as "chilling" and has ignited significant debate within the library, museum, and archival communities.

In cover letters accompanying the grant applications, the institute stated it "particularly welcomes" projects that foster an appreciation for the country through "uplifting and positive narratives." This directive references specific executive orders issued during the Trump administration, including one that criticized the Smithsonian Institution for what it termed "divisive, race-centered ideology." President Trump himself had previously commented that the Smithsonian focused too much on "how bad slavery was." Other cited executive orders include those calling for an end to "the anti-Christian weaponization of government" and one promoting "Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again." These references signal a clear departure from the agency's historical practice of maintaining political neutrality.

The implications of these new guidelines are far-reaching. Former agency leaders, representing both Democratic and Republican administrations, along with heads of prominent library, historical, and museum associations, have voiced serious concerns. They fear that the new criteria could lead to a more constrained or even distorted interpretation of American history being promoted through federally funded projects. A significant worry is that institutions accepting these grants might inadvertently subject themselves to increased scrutiny and control, mirroring the administration's broad audit of Smithsonian exhibits designed to "assess tone, historical framing and alignment with American ideals."

Giovanna Urist, who served as a senior program officer at the IMLS from 2021 to 2023, characterized the new guidelines as "chilling." She elaborated, "I think that we just need to look at what’s happening with the Smithsonian to know that the administration has a very specific goal in mind when it comes to controlling the voice of organizations and museums across the country." This sentiment reflects a broader anxiety that the federal government is attempting to leverage funding to shape the narrative presented by cultural institutions.

An IMLS spokesperson, speaking to ProPublica, defended the inclusion of directors' letters with grant applications, suggesting it's standard practice to inform applicants about "this Administration’s thematic emphases in the semi-quincentennial year." However, the spokesperson declined to comment on criticisms that these letters inject political themes into a historically non-partisan program. The spokesperson also stated, "Under President Trump’s leadership, IMLS is working to revitalize our cultural institutions, urging less traditional applicants to consider working with us, and to promote civic pride and a deep sense of belonging among all Americans." They assured that any institution meeting programmatic requirements and goals would receive due consideration and undergo peer review. Crucially, the spokesperson did not clarify how alignment with Trump's executive orders would be weighed in the selection process or address concerns about potential governmental intrusion into the operations of funded institutions.

Established in 1996, the IMLS is the sole federal entity dedicated to supporting libraries and a primary funder for museums and archives. Its grant programs have historically focused on enhancing community engagement, improving public access to information, bolstering collections care, and disaster preparedness. A notable program, named after former First Lady Laura Bush, is dedicated to training library professionals.

The agency itself has faced significant political pressure. Last March, President Trump attempted to eliminate the IMLS through an executive order and dismissed its director, Cyndee Landrum, a seasoned library professional. This move prompted legal action, with attorneys general from 21 states and the American Library Association suing the administration to prevent the agency's dismantling. Court orders have since halted these efforts.

The leadership at the IMLS also saw a shift, with Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith E. Sonderling appointed as acting director. Sonderling reportedly lacked prior professional experience in the museum or library fields. Upon his appointment, Sonderling declared, "We will revitalize IMLS and restore focus on patriotism, ensuring we preserve our country’s core values, promote American exceptionalism and cultivate love of country in future generations." Shortly thereafter, a significant portion of the agency's 75 employees were placed on administrative leave, the advisory board was dismissed, and some previously awarded grants were rescinded. These grants were later reinstated under a court order in December.

Currently, the IMLS is accepting applications for 13 grant programs, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $1 million. Data from Grants.gov indicates that the agency anticipates awarding nearly 600 grants totaling over $78 million. However, questions linger about the agency's operational capacity and staffing levels. Its current budget of $112 million is a fraction of its funding in recent years, and its budget justification document requested support for only 13 full-time employees, a number considered low by former officials.

Interviews with former IMLS directors, who served under various presidential administrations dating back to Barack Obama, revealed a consistent practice of implementing programmatic changes through consultation with sector stakeholders, rather than imposing a president's worldview. These former leaders noted that the current administration's approach signals a preference for specific project types and narratives, a stark contrast to previous administrations.

Even Crosby Kemper III, a conservative Republican appointed by Trump to lead the agency in 2019 and who remained into the Biden administration, expressed strong disapproval. While Kemper had reservations about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and believed the library and museum fields needed a course correction from a perceived "left lean," he found the current administration's direction unhelpful. "All these Trump executive orders... are just extensions of his own animus towards anybody who disagrees with him and his outsized ego," Kemper stated, calling the orders "nonsense" and the grant guidelines "horrific." He concluded, "It’s clear the administration wants a whitewashed story, if you’ll pardon the pun there. And that’s wrong."

Leaders from the American Historical Association, the American Library Association, and the American Alliance of Museums have warned that the changes in grant language and recent funding actions are creating uncertainty. Key questions remain unanswered: Will previously awarded grants be revoked again? Could accepting federal funds expose institutions to broader investigations, similar to the scrutiny faced by universities over DEI practices? The IMLS spokesperson did not provide comment on these specific concerns.

Sarah Weicksel, executive director of the American Historical Association, noted that institutions are apprehensive about the perception of accepting these funds. "They’re wondering, is accepting the grant a sign that they accept the executive orders that have been laid out here?" she asked. Furthermore, doubts persist about the agency's capacity to process applications effectively, given the reduced budget and reported low staffing levels. While former officials trust the remaining staff to uphold quality standards, the process itself, typically involving volunteer expert reviewers, lacks transparency, according to former agency head Susan Hildreth, who found minimal information on the current procedures online.

Ekhbary News Agency