Self-inflicted wounds

The Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS) informed the Vermont Historical Society earlier this week that it terminated a grant for the Activating 21st Century Local History Program (Grant Application No. 21MP-256386-OMS-24), effective April 8th. The letter, signed by acting IMLS director Keith Sonderling, states that “IMLS has determined that your grant is unfortunately no longer consistent with the agency’s priorities and no longer serves the interest of the United States and the IMLS Program.” 

You can see a post about it over on our blog, and read the full termination letter here. I'm frustrated and more than a little angry about it: it means that we'll be laying off one of my colleagues, who joined us last fall to oversee this project. It's really tragic: she's a talented, enthusiastic individual who is taking this much, much better than I would have, and not only does this mean that we'll be missing out on her expertise and skills, it's just so... stupid. (I should note, I'm not speaking for VHS here – this is just me ranting.)