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WSL | Federal Library Funding in Washington

Federal funds are provided through the Institute of Museum of Library Services (IMLS) in support of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants to States Program.

UPDATES

Updated May 8, 2025

First Tuesdays
Facing Change: What the Loss of Federal Funding Means for Washington Libraries
May 6, 9-10 a.m.
RECORDING

 

May 6, 2025 - Rhode Island District Court Grants Preliminary Injunction in IMLS Case (RI v. Trump)

May 1, 2025 - Judge Halts Trump's Cuts to Museum and Library Funding Agency (ALA v. Trump)
 

As of May 5, 2025, Washington State Library's Grants to States FY25 Funding was reinstated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) effectively funding Library Development through the end of the Federal Fiscal Year, September 30, 2025.
 


Federal funds granted through the Institute of Museum and Library Services Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants to States Program supports much of the statutorily mandated statewide library infrastructure, programs, resources, and services that enable information and education access to the people of Washington. 

In 2024, WA received $3,900,000 through the LSTA Grants to States program for a period ending September 30, 2025. 

As of April 1, 2025, the WA State Library’s LSTA Grants to States Grant was terminated mid-fiscal year, along with only two other states, CT and CA. 

Federal funding supports 32 partially or fully funded Library Development staff, staff at Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) in Seattle, and prison and hospital library staff. Federal funds do not directly support public libraries who are funded locally by their municipalities, however, local impact would be felt by the loss of programs and support across all WA communities.

  • The 17 Division of Library Development staff that support WA statutory statewide service, are partially or completely supported with LSTA funds, many staff supporting multiple projects.
  • Programs, services, and resources associated with these mandatory projects are funded by LSTA.

 

Washington is one of 21 states suing Trump to protect libraries, museums and other small agency programs.

 

This Lawsuit is led by the Attorneys General of New York, Hawaii, and Rhode Island. Joining the lawsuit are the Attorneys General of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin.