Evaluation of the Institute of Museum and Library Services Distribution of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and American Rescue Plan Act Funding

In 2020 and 2021, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) distributed funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), respectively, to museums, libraries, and State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) in the United States. This report outlines the results of an American Institutes for Research® (AIR®) evaluation of this funding. This report has three sections. The first section provides an overview of the findings from the analysis of the CARES Act and ARPA funding provided to SLAAs from the Office of Library Services' Grants to States program. The second section presents the findings from evaluating the CARES Act and ARPA funding awarded as discretionary grants to museums and libraries from the Office of Library Services - Discretionary Grants and Office of Museum Services. Finally, the third section contains the research team’s conclusions and their recommendations to IMLS based on the findings of this report.