Connecticut museums and libraries are the latest institutions affected by Pres. Trump and his administration’s push to cut federal funding.

The National Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) sent a letter to Connecticut’s State Library at the beginning of the month that shared its plans to stop $2.1 million in aid. The letter explained that the funding, meant to support electronic books, materials for the blind, summer programs and a program that would allow Connecticut residents to borrow materials from any library in the state with their library card, did not comply with Trump’s policies.

Connecticut Library Association’s president, Scott Jarzombek, said, “When you underfund libraries, this significantly impacts your neighbor and friends… Yes, maybe you’re lucky enough to not use the library as a resource, but there are a million – there’s a million people in the state of Connecticut using the library one way or another.”

Many people do not understand the full extent of services public libraries provide. Aside from being able to rent and return books with the use of a library card, they also offer research guidance, translation services, photocopying and printing options, venue and room rental, workshops and conferences, access to databanks, informational newsletters, access to learning platforms and online tools and many other helpful services that few people take advantage of.

Connecticut Humanities Executive Director Jason Mancini said he also received letters from the National Endowment for the Humanities taking away a total of $3 million in aid used to support historical societies, museums and cultural centers across Connecticut. The reasoning was similar to what the State Library was told, their funding did not meet Trump’s agenda. Mancini spoke during a public hearing where the Appropriations Committee discussed multiple bills including legislation that would provide more funding for the humanities.

“Through arts and humanities, people express themselves, experience others, all key social learning and emotional development,” said Mancini.

Connecticut libraries and museums are not the only institutions affected by the cut. AFGE Local 3403, a branch of the American Federation of Government Employees, said that grant recipients across the U.S. have found that their funding was cut abruptly by the IMLS. All employees of the IMLS have also been put on administrative leave as of April 1, so the libraries and museums have no support to reach out to and help clarify any confusion.

The IMLS’ database said they issued $269.5 million across 633 grants to states, libraries and museums in 2024. $24.5 million went to 74 museums and libraries in the National Leadership Grants program, which supports library and museum projects addressing needs that can be replicated in other institutions, while $9.1 million went to 34 libraries in the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program, which supports training for archivists and librarians.

Without this funding, libraries and museums may find it harder, if not impossible, to continue supplying the public with valuable resources and knowledge. To combat this, the Aman Library Association (AMA) along with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) filed suit against the Trump administration on April 7. saying that cutting IMLS programs is illegal after Congress approved funding for these programs and appointed the IMLS to watch over them. They also requested a preliminary injunction last week to prevent the institute from cutting off grants.