Local & National News | April 03, 2025
Written By Derek Hawn
The recent executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has sent shockwaves through Tennessee’s libraries, museums, and cultural institutions. As someone who works with a volunteer-driven museum in East Tennessee, this issue feels deeply personal. I’ve seen firsthand how critical IMLS funding is for preserving our history, providing educational opportunities, and inspiring children to dream big. Without this funding, the future of these institutions—and the communities they serve—is in jeopardy.
In 2024 alone, Tennessee received $4.7 million in IMLS funding. These grants supported libraries and museums across the state, from rural counties to urban centers. They funded everything from technology upgrades and digital resources to STEM education programs that prepare kids for careers in science and technology. Losing this funding will have far-reaching consequences for families, students, and local economies.
Libraries in Tennessee are more than places to borrow books—they are lifelines for families who rely on them for internet access, educational programs, and community services. IMLS funding has been essential in keeping these institutions running by supporting:
Technology Access: In rural areas where broadband internet is scarce, libraries provide one of the few reliable sources of connectivity. IMLS grants fund technology infrastructure that enables libraries to offer digital literacy programs and online learning platforms. Without this funding, the digital divide in Tennessee’s rural communities will grow even wider.
Educational Programs: Libraries use IMLS grants to run programs like summer reading initiatives and job training workshops that enrich lives and build skills. These programs are especially vital for families who cannot afford private tutoring or extracurricular activities.
Resource Development: IMLS funding ensures libraries can maintain diverse collections of books, periodicals, and digital databases that meet patrons’ needs. Losing this support would force libraries to cut back on these essential services.
In rural counties—where libraries often serve as the only public resource centers—these cuts would be catastrophic. Families who depend on libraries for internet access or children’s programs would be left without alternatives.
Museums across Tennessee play a vital role in preserving our state’s rich history while inspiring innovation through education. Institutions like the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring have used IMLS grants to bring STEM education directly into schools through mobile science labs—giving children hands-on learning experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
For example:
The Discovery Center renovated a school bus into a mobile science lab that travels to underserved communities across Tennessee. This program has introduced countless children to STEM concepts through interactive experiments funded by IMLS grants.
The Beck Cultural Exchange Center in Knoxville has relied on IMLS grants to digitize historical records related to Knoxville’s Urban Renewal projects—making critical pieces of Tennessee’s history accessible for research and education.
Without federal support from IMLS grants, many museums—particularly smaller ones—will struggle to continue their work. This isn’t just about preserving artifacts; it’s about losing opportunities for children and families to engage with science, history, and culture in ways that inspire them to dream bigger.
One of the most devastating impacts of cutting IMLS funding will be felt in STEM education programs across Tennessee. Libraries and museums have become key players in delivering STEM learning experiences—especially in rural areas where schools often lack resources for specialized programs.
At libraries across the state, kids participate in coding workshops, robotics clubs, and hands-on engineering projects that prepare them for careers in high-demand fields like healthcare and technology. At museums like the East Tennessee Historical Society or Discovery Center, students learn about science through interactive exhibits that make complex concepts come alive.
These programs aren’t just educational—they’re life-changing. They close opportunity gaps by giving every child a chance to explore their potential regardless of their zip code or family income. Without IMLS funding, many of these initiatives will vanish.
The economic consequences of cutting IMLS funding cannot be ignored. Museums contribute significantly to Tennessee’s economy by attracting tourists and supporting jobs—museums alone generate over $50 billion annually nationwide while employing more than 700,000 people. Libraries also play a crucial role in workforce development by offering job training programs and resources for entrepreneurs.
IMLS grants also support workforce development initiatives that help Tennesseans gain skills for high-demand industries like technology and healthcare. Losing this support would hinder efforts to close skill gaps in our workforce while weakening our state’s economic competitiveness.
Perhaps most troubling is how these cuts will exacerbate inequities across Tennessee. Rural communities will feel the loss most acutely as they lose access to technology and educational resources provided by libraries and museums. Families who cannot afford private tutoring or extracurricular activities will see fewer opportunities for their children to learn and grow.
For seniors who rely on digital literacy programs or individuals with disabilities who use talking books funded by IMLS grants, the loss of these services will leave them further isolated.
As someone who works with a museum driven entirely by volunteers—and as someone who has seen firsthand how much these institutions mean to Tennesseans—I can tell you this fight is personal. The decision to eliminate IMLS funding is short-sighted and harmful—not just for libraries and museums but for all Tennesseans who rely on them as gateways to knowledge, opportunity, and innovation.
For less than 0.01% of the federal budget—just $304 million annually—IMLS delivers an incredible return on investment by enriching lives across the country. In 2024 alone, Tennessee received nearly $4.7 million from IMLS grants that supported everything from library technology upgrades to museum preservation projects.
If we lose this funding:
Libraries may have to reduce hours or close branches entirely in rural areas.
Museums may cut staff or shutter exhibitions that preserve our state’s rich history.
Families may lose access to free educational programs that help children thrive.
STEM initiatives that inspire young minds could disappear altogether.
Tennesseans must come together now to advocate for the restoration of IMLS funding before it’s too late. These institutions are not luxuries—they are necessities that enrich our lives today while preparing us for tomorrow.
Let us send a clear message: preserving funding for libraries and museums is about protecting what makes Tennessee special—our history, our culture, our opportunities—and ensuring a brighter future for all.
