Department of Education Restructuring May Put Academic and School Libraries At Risk

Gretchen GardellaNo CommentsBlog, Liblime

Recent actions by the Trump administration to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education pose significant threats to school and academic libraries nationwide. In November 2025, the White House announced steps to move key programs supporting these libraries, including the Innovative Approaches to Literacy initiative, to other federal agencies (1). This restructuring comes at a critical time, as national reading scores declined by 2 points for 4th- and 8th-grade students between 2022 and 2024 (2).

The Innovative Approaches to Literacy program has been instrumental in supporting school library development. By law, at least half of IAL funding must be allocated to competitive grants for underserved school libraries, with the remaining funds supporting national nonprofit literacy organizations (3). These grants provide professional development for school librarians, books, and current materials to high-need schools, while also supporting early literacy services and distributing quality books to low-income communities (4). The uncertainty surrounding where these programs will land—and whether they will survive the transition—creates immediate risks for libraries already serving vulnerable student populations.

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https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-birth-grade-12/well-rounded-education-grants/innovative-approaches-literacy#home

The broader pattern of federal cuts extends beyond the Education Department. In March 2025, an executive order called for eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which distributed more than $280 million in grants to libraries and museums in fiscal year 2024 (5). Although courts have since blocked some of these actions, federal funding cuts have begun to affect classrooms by reducing grants from cultural and library institutions (6). These grants quietly support educational programming that many schools depend upon but cannot afford independently.

The impact is tough on rural communities. IMLS funds have provided upgraded internet speeds for library patrons in Montana, educational kits for homeschool families in Mississippi, and Braille books for people with visual impairments in Connecticut (7). Without federal coordination and funding, smaller libraries lack resources to maintain these services. The proposed dismantling also threatens consistency in educational standards, as federal oversight helps preserve quality and equity, which could vary significantly across states without centralized support (8).

Academic libraries face equally serious challenges when their parent institutions experience reduced federal support. These libraries cannot operate independently from their colleges and universities, making them vulnerable to broader cuts in higher education funding. This threatens the infrastructure supporting scholarship, research, and academic freedom that defines higher education. When federal support for post-secondary education diminishes, academic libraries lose resources essential to maintaining collections, databases, and services that faculty and students rely on for research and learning.

The timing compounds these concerns. Fewer than a third of students nationwide are working at the NAEP Proficient level in reading, with about 40 percent of 4th graders scoring below the Basic level—the highest share since 2002 (9). As ALA President Sam Helmick stated, students and faculty depend on the Education Department’s expertise and funding, and declining reading scores demand investment in proven strategies that strengthen learning (10).

The stakes extend beyond individual libraries to fundamental questions about educational equity.

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https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/how-schools-will-feel-the-federal-funding-cuts-to-libraries-and-museums/2025/08

When federal programs disappear, the most vulnerable students—those in underfunded districts, rural areas, and low-income communities—lose access to resources that wealthier districts provide through local funding. Library advocates emphasize that these changes affect real people and communities. One researcher noted that while $150,000 may seem modest in federal budget terms, it can have a significant impact when supporting projects that help children, teachers, and schools by restoring librarians and libraries (11).

The cumulative effect of eliminating multiple programs creates gaps that no single agency or state can adequately fill. The administrative chaos adds another layer of uncertainty. During federal shutdowns, library workers at IMLS, the Library of Congress, and other agencies face income and employment risks, while libraries and users who depend on their services lose access (12). The institutional knowledge lost when experienced staff members leave cannot be easily replaced, even if funding eventually returns.

As these federal restructuring efforts continue, school and academic libraries stand at a crossroads. Without the modest but crucial federal support they have relied upon, many will struggle to serve students who need them most. The coming months will determine whether decades of progress in building educational infrastructure can withstand this systemic disruption.

References

  1. American Library Association. (2025, November 20). ALA sounds alarm as White House undermines programs supporting school and academic libraries. https://www.ala.org/news/2025/11/ala-sounds-alarm-white-house-undermines-programs-supporting-school-and-academic

  2. National Assessment Governing Board. (2025, January 29). The nation’s report card shows declines in reading, some progress in 4th-grade math. https://www.nagb.gov/news-and-events/news-releases/2025/nations-report-card-decline-in-reading-progress-in-math.html 
  3. American Library Association. (n.d.). Innovative approaches to literacy. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/fund-libraries/IAL

  4. U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Innovative approaches to literacy. https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-birth-grade-12/well-rounded-education-grants/innovative-approaches-literacy

  5. New America. (2025). Trump calls for elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/federal-funding-for-libraries-and-museums-on-the-chopping-block/

  6. Meyer, C. (2025, August 15). How schools will feel the federal funding cuts to libraries and museums. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/how-schools-will-feel-the-federal-funding-cuts-to-libraries-and-museums/2025/08

  7. American Library Association. (2025, April). IMLS cuts put America’s public libraries at risk. https://www.ala.org/news/2025/04/imls-cuts-put-americas-public-libraries-risk

  8. EveryLibrary Institute. (2024). Federal education policy and consequences for libraries. https://www.milibraries.org/assets/docs/Project_2025_Consequences_for_Libraries_-_July_2024.pdf

  9. National Assessment Governing Board. (2025, January 29). The nation’s report card shows declines in reading, some progress in 4th grade math. https://www.nagb.gov/news-and-events/news-releases/2025/nations-report-card-decline-in-reading-progress-in-math.html

  10. American Library Association. (2025, November 20). ALA sounds alarm as White House undermines programs supporting school and academic libraries. https://www.ala.org/news/2025/11/ala-sounds-alarm-white-house-undermines-programs-supporting-school-and-academic

  11. Vilcarino, J. (2025, March 28). Trump admin. Cuts library funding. What it means for students. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/trump-admin-cuts-library-funding-what-it-means-for-students/2025/03
  12. American Libraries Magazine. (2025, October 31). How the 2025 government shutdown will impact libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/how-the-2025-government-shutdown-will-impact-libraries/