The Chattanooga Public Library is at risk of losing $435,000 in federal funding following an executive order by President Donald Trump that defunded the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a congressionally established agency that supports more than 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums nationwide.
“At this time, we have had no indication of when or how our funding will be impacted this year or in years to come,” said Dionne Jenkins, a member of the Chattanooga Public Library board of directors. Jenkins answered questions via email. “The only thing we know right now is that funding has not been approved beyond September 2025 and that the March 14 executive order directs the elimination of IMLS, which is the agency that provides the funding to states.”
In a joint news release issued by the library board and the Chattanooga Public Library Foundation, leaders urged residents to contact members of Congress and ask them to support the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
“While the elimination of IMLS only creates a minimal savings of 0.003% to the federal budget, the negative effects on communities across the country will be felt for decades,” the release said.
Trump’s March 14 order called for dismantling seven federal agencies as much as legally possible, which included Museum and Library Services. In response, attorneys general from 21 states sued the Trump administration. According to National Public Radio, a federal judge ordered Trump to pause the library funding cuts May 6.