Statement on FY2026 "Minibus" Funding for the Library of Congress
The bill to reopen the US federal government will enable the ongoing and crucial work of the Library of Congress to continue, but we still need to work to secure funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) as well as the National Archives (NARA).
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While the eyes of the nation have been focused on reopening the government, it is important for library advocates to recognize that Congress passed a “minibus” package on November 12 that funds the operations and activities of the Library of Congress within the Legislative Branch for fiscal 2026.
This full-year funding commitment provides stability for the nation’s library at time of extraordinary attacks on its independence and integrity by the Trump Administration.
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The minibus maintains total funding for the Library of Congress at $852.2 million, which includes $592.4 million for salaries and expenses. This funding sustains the staff and infrastructure that are vital to its mission. It also preserves funding for key components of the library’s work: $57.5 million for the U.S. Copyright Office, which anchors the nation’s intellectual property system; $136.1 million for the Congressional Research Service, which provides nonpartisan research and analysis to lawmakers; and $66.1 million for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, which delivers essential accessible reading materials nationwide. By rejecting an earlier House proposal that would have cut roughly 10 percent from the Library’s budget, Congress has affirmed the importance of these programs to a functioning democracy and an informed public.
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"While the Library of Congress FY2026 budget is set, full-year funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Archives (NARA) remains tied to the Continuing Resolution and ongoing budget fights," said John Chrastka, Executive Director of EveryLibrary. "State libraries, museums, and grant recipients rely on IMLS to strengthen local institutions and improve services for the people they serve. The NARA must be properly funded, both for its core responsibilities and for its crucial role in preparations for the nation’s 250th anniversary. This is a critical time for library advocates to engage with members of Congress, as well as state legislatures and governors, regarding the federal-state funding framework that supports library services nationwide."
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