The Whitman County Library has announced the cancellation of the Whitman Heritage Digital Collection project due to the cessation of funding.

The WHDC, which is supported by a grant from the Washington State Library and funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, was instructed to cease activities for the 2024-2025 funding cycle following a directive from IMSL director Keith Sonderling on April 1.

The WHDC includes photographs, videos, documents, and artifacts that represent the early culture, industry, and community of Whitman County and the greater Palouse region, currently housing over 5,300 historically significant items.

This decision marks a significant development in state funding history and has led the Washington Attorney General’s Office to file a suit aimed at reversing the decision, citing concerns over the legality of terminating a grant program that was previously approved by Congress.