I hesitate to get into this because of the discussions that will probably
come from it but... We share [log in to unmask] frustration with IMLS/GOS.
Being a university museum we feel we have suffered from reviwers who don't
seem to understand the unique nature and probalems of university museums.
Fair is fair and we have a lot to improve and so on and so forth.

As for who seem to be getting the grants, that is an age-old discussion
too-- along the lines of those who have--get more.  It is a struggle to get
your museum to that crucial point where it seems to make sense to be
awarded (through scores) a GOS grant.    Keep in mind too that GOS is a
two-year award, so in the inter-year an awarded institution can't compete.
This might account for some of the obviously abscent areas in awards.

I am also under the impression (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that there
have been some fewer applications in the last few years?  I know reviewers
for IMLS/GOS who have been told, for several years running, that the
applications were all assigned to reviewers before they got to these
pepople in the list of reviewers.  Maybe  this is also the result of the
bi-year format.  It makes sense.

So, [log in to unmask], if you (and others too) are among the many who didn't
get an award, keep trying and keep trying to improve your facility and its
programs as best you can.

Don't shoot the messenger!

Matt Linke


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Matthew Linke, Planetarium Director
Exhibit Museum of Natural History
Room 4506
1109 Geddes Avenue
Ann Arbor,  MI  48109-1079

(734) 647-1381 (voice)
(734) 647-2767 (fax)
e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
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