The following is a press release from the federal Institute of Museum
and Library Services. An HTML version of the release can be read on the
agency's Web site at: http://www.imls.gov/news/2006/050906.shtm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2006
Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Eileen Maxwell, [log in to unmask]
Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask]
Institute of Museum and Library Services Partners with National
Endowment for the Arts to Create Largest Book Club Ever
The Big Read encourages America's cities and towns to participate, apply
for grants, in effort to reverse dramatic decline in literary reading
New York, NY-Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice, the recently appointed director
of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, announced
<http://www.imls.gov/news/speeches/050906.shtm> from Carnegie Hall in
New York City today that the agency will partner with the National
Endowment for the Arts on the Big Read. The Big Read is a new national
reading program designed to revitalize the role of reading in America.
The Institute is the primary source of federal funds and leadership to
the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.
"Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America" a 2004
National Arts Endowment report, documented a dramatic decline in
literary reading - among all age groups, ethnic groups, and education
levels - and galvanized a national discussion. The Big Read was
developed to help reverse this trend by giving citizens in more than 100
communities in all 50 states an inviting opportunity to read and discuss
great books. Each city or town that participates will host a
community-wide read that involves collaborations with libraries,
schools, local government, and the private sector.
The Institute will contribute $1 million in the first year of the
national program and cast America's libraries and librarians in a
central role to encourage community participation. "We are delighted to
be a partner in The Big Read," noted Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director
of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. "Libraries are
'information central' in communities everywhere. Encouraging library
participation will assure that The Big Read has big impact in cities and
towns across the United States."
"We are so pleased to have the Institute of Museum and Library Services
as a partner," said Dana Gioia,
Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. "They bring expertise
and a capacity that will not only make the Big Read bigger but better."
The Big Read will be administered by Arts Midwest, a regional arts
agency based in Minneapolis, MN. The partners invite cities and
communities nationwide to participate in 2007. The Big Read will award
grants generally ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to more than 100
communities to conduct programs that encourage reading for pleasure and
enlightenment. To find out how your organization can submit a proposal
to join the Big Read, please visit: www.neabigread.org
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of
federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.
Its mission is to grow and sustain a "Nation of Learners" because
life-long learning is essential to a democratic society and individual
success. Through its grant making, convenings, research and
publications, the Institute empowers museums and libraries nationwide to
provide leadership and services to enhance learning in families and
communities, sustain cultural heritage, build twenty-first-century
skills, and increase civic participation. To learn more about the
Institute, please visit: http://www.imls.gov.
Eileen Maxwell
Public Affairs Officer
Institute of Museum and Library Services
1800 M Street, NW
9th Floor
Washington, DC 20036-5802
202-653-4632
202-653-4600(fax)
[log in to unmask]
Visit the Institute of Museum and Library Services virtual press room
for the agency's latest news releases, publications, logos, and Primary
Source our monthly e-newsletter at: http://www.imls.gov/pressroom.shtm.
=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
|
