Ax Ax comes for libraries and museums

Trump administration working in coordination with Elon Musk the so -called Ministry of Government EfficiencyRippers a small federal agency that provides funding for libraries and museums across the country. In US communities, the abbreviations threaten students, classes for the elderly, and access to popular digital services, such as LIBBY eBook appS

On Monday, managers at the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) informed 77 employees – the agency’s entire staff – that they are immediately released on paid administrative leave, according to one of the workers who sought anonymity of revenge from Trump employees. Several other sources have confirmed the move that came after President Donald Trump appointed Keith Sondreling, Deputy Srester of Labor, as acting director of IMLS less than two weeks.

A representative of the US Federation of Civil Servants Local 3403, an union, which represents about 40 IMLS employees, said Sonderling and a group of Doge employees met with the IMLS management late last month. Sonderling then sent an email to the staff, “emphasizing the importance of libraries and museums in raising the next generation of American exclusivity and patriotism,” a Union statement told Wired.

IMLS employees who appeared at the agency on Monday were asked to join their computers and lost access to their government email addresses before being ordered to go home for the day, the employee says. It is unclear when or if employees will ever return to work. “It’s heartbreaking on many levels,” the employee adds.

The White House and the Institute for Museum and Library Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Wired.

IMLS’s annual budget is less than 1 dollar per person in the United States. Overall, the agency awarded over $ 269.5 million to library and museum systems last year, according to Its grant databaseS Much of this money is paid as a recovery of recovery over time, the current IMLS employee says, but now there is no one to reduce the checks for funds that have already been allocated.

“The status of pre -awarded grants is unclear. Without the staff to administer the programs, most grants are likely to be discontinued,” a statement of the US officials 3403 Union said in a statement.

About 65 percent of funding have been allocated to different countries, each planned to receive a minimum of approximately $ 1.2 million. Recipients can use the money for initiatives across the country or hand it over to the local museum and library institutions for costs such as staff training and back office software. California and Texas have received the highest allocated funding, respectively about $ 12.5 million and $ 15.7 million, according to IMLS. Individual libraries and museums also receive grants directly from IML for specific projects.

Aidaho Museum is expected to put $ 10,350 for support Student field tripsAccording to the IMLS grant database. Museum in North Carolina was allocated 23,500 dollars for Weaving and Fiber Workshops For the elderly. And a root community in California is expected to invest $ 10,000 to the purchase of books and electronic resourcesS