AFSCME members stop cuts, protect funding for libraries and museums

https://www.afscme.org/blog/afscme-members-stop-cuts-protect-funding-for-libraries-and-museums

Our union has achieved a huge win for public libraries and museums in communities across the country.

For over a year, we fought back against the administration’s efforts to decimate the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, or IMLS, and we won.

IMLS provides federal grants to library and museum programs nationwide. AFSCME members rely on these grants to provide the essential services our communities need and expect. We know how vitally important this federal funding is.

That’s why AFSCME members fought back. Our union teamed up with the American Library Association to sue the Trump administration to stop IMLS from being dismantled. AFSCME members provided sworn declarations and won a temporary restraining order.

This week, we reached a settlement with the Justice Department. This deal makes sure that IMLS will stay open — continuing to give out grants, do research and run programs that support libraries and museums across the country. Grants that were ended in the past have been restored. Previous staff reductions have been reversed.

Our victory is a testament to the power of working people when we stand together in a union to fight for our families, our communities and the services we provide.