Alabama librarians are worried that more than $3 million in federal funding will be in jeopardy after President Donald Trump signed an executive order dismantling the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

On March 14, Trump ordered the service, along with several other federal organizations, “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.”

The executive order drew concerns from Alabama librarians. In 2024, Alabama’s public library service received 60% of its budget, or $1.9 million, from the institute. Local libraries statewide could lose about $1.4 million, according to the library service’s annual report. Overall, the service distributes about $200 million in grants nationwide to libraries, museums and heritage sites.

“If IMLS closes completely, it’ll be detrimental to all public libraries,” said Ryan Godfrey, public relations and communications manager of the Alabama Public Library Service.

Jefferson County received the most funds ($376,000) out of Alabama counties last year, according to the annual report.

Grants for local museums also may be at risk, such as the Alabama African-American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium, Tuskegee University’s Legacy Museum and the Wiregrass Museum of Art received more than $350,000 in Inspire Grants funding last year, according to the IMLS website.

Libraries receive these grants through the Library Services and Technology Act for “technology training, enhancing digital literacy, promoting resource sharing, and fostering innovative library services,” according to the public library service’s annual report.

Loss of funding likely would also mean cutbacks on programs like the tutoring service Homework Alabama, which currently has 7,000 subscribers.

Alabama’s Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled could lose funding if the institute is dissolved. The library is the primary source for blind readers to get library materials in Braille or special audiobooks, according to John Paré Jr., the director for advocacy and policy at the National Federation for the Blind.

“Blind people in America don’t have a lot of options to get these things,” Pare said. More than 150,000 Alabamians have visual impairments, according to the National Federation for the Blind.

On March 14th, the Senate passed and the president signed a continuing resolution for fiscal year 2025, which provides funding for IMLS through September 2025.

Although this continuing resolution provides funding for IMLS, President Trump “usurps the intent of Congress’ decision to provide funding,” the American Library Association said in a statement.

“Library funding draws less than 0.003% of the annual federal budget yet has enormous impact in communities nationwide,” the association said.

“I am committed to steering this organization in lockstep with this Administration to enhance efficiency and foster innovation,” said the institute’s new acting director, Keith E. Sonderling, in a news report from NPR. Sonderling and the Department of Government Efficiency visited the institute on March 20.