Great News! $2 Million Increase for IMLS Signed into Law

Earlier today the president signed into law the fiscal year (FY) 2019 Labor-HHS-Education and Defense appropriations package that includes a $2 million increase for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

“This funding increase didn’t happen by chance, it’s the result of years of consistent hard work by museum advocates,” said Alliance President and CEO Laura Lott. “And it’s on top of the $3 million increase for the Office of Museum Services (OMS) last year. Well done!”

The $2 million increase is split equally between $1 million for IMLS Research, Analysis and Data Collection and $1 million for overall IMLS Program Administration. IMLS funding totals $242 million, including $34.7 million for the Office of Museum Services (OMS). This is the first time since 1996 that the Labor-HHS-Education funding bill has been signed into law before the start of the new fiscal year. Having the funding in place on time gives certainty and planning time for IMLS that they have lacked when Congress did not enact full-year funding until well into the fiscal year.

The funding package also extends current funding levels through December 7 for all government programs that do not have full-year funding signed into law by the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, such as the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Science Foundation (NSF), historic preservation programs, Save America’s Treasures, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Please take a moment to express your appreciation with a brief message to your legislators: “Thank you for the $2 million increase for the Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS).” You can find your legislators, and their social media and contact information, in our Legislator Directory.