Las Vegas Library District Drops DEI Programs to Comply with Trump Administration Orders

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District has announced it will be eliminating its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) program to ensure compliance with federal executive orders. The move follows the Trump administration’s policy to end taxpayer-funded DEI initiatives within government agencies, a decision aimed at prioritizing merit and neutrality over ideological mandates.

Library District Executive Director Kelvin Watson informed employees that the district, which operates 25 branches and serves nearly 1.76 million people, will be making several internal changes. Among them, the DEIA Committee will be dissolved, the Youth Diversity Programming Committee may be renamed, and DEIA references will be scrubbed from job postings and internal materials. Employees will also be required to remove pronouns from their email signatures.

Watson emphasized that the district remains committed to a “positive, respectful, and welcoming environment” for staff and patrons. However, legal counsel advised the district to proactively adjust its policies to avoid conflicts with federal regulations. The library receives substantial federal funding, and noncompliance could jeopardize millions of dollars, impacting core operations and literacy programs.

While some former employees have expressed concern about the changes, citing that federal grants make up a small portion of the district’s $88 million budget, the reality is clear—compliance ensures financial stability and uninterrupted public service. The Trump administration’s directive is reshaping institutions nationwide, pushing them toward a more neutral, service-focused approach rather than promoting divisive social initiatives.

Programs related to cultural awareness and literacy will continue, but employees will be expected to present them without ideological framing. Displays of books by Latin, Black, or Asian American authors will still be permitted, but they must be advertised in a neutral manner.

As the country shifts away from taxpayer-funded identity politics, the library district’s decision reflects a growing trend: prioritizing function over ideology and ensuring public resources are used responsibly.

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal

Source: News 3 Las Vegas