Just days following the installation of Keith Sonderling as the new Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Museum and Library Services Board acted within its statutory capacity to advise the new director on "the essential functions of the Institute of Museum and Library Services as expressly provided by the Museum and Libraries Services Act of 2018 and budget appropriations enacted by Congress."

In a letter dated March 24, the Board reinforced the statutory obligations of IMLS that are not considered discretionary under the law: the Grants to States program; Native American Library Services; National Leadership Grants Program; State Plan Requirements; and Statutory Disbursement of Funds. The letter goes on to say that the Board considers all current-year and multi-year grants that have been authorized and funded by Congressional appropriation to constitute statutory obligations.

Per Executive Order 14238, signed by President Trump on March 14, IMLS is directed to reduce the "non-statutory components and functions" of its operations. With this letter, the Board makes clear its perspective on which aspects of IMLS' work must be retained.