FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 8, 2004 



Press Contact: Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> , 202/606-8339 





FY 2005 Appropriations Bill Increases Funding for 

Institute of Museum and Library Services 



Includes New Funding for Native American Museums 



WASHINGTON, DC -President Bush signed the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005," which provides FY 2005 appropriations for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The bill includes an increase of 4.8 percent for IMLS programs for a total of $240,675,000. The budget also includes an additional $39,889,000 for congressionally-directed grants. IMLS grants and leadership activities help to create and sustain a nation of learners, building the capacity of libraries and museums to serve their communities. 



IMLS library programs will receive $205,951,000, an increase of $7,709,000. This amount builds upon a proposal announced by Laura Bush in 2003 to increase funding “to recruit and train a new generation of librarians." 21st Century Librarian grants are helping to offset a predicted national shortage of librarians. Grants support scholarships for graduate students in library and information science, support distance learning technology that brings training to underserved areas, and recruit librarians with diverse language skills. Library Grants to States also received an increase. A total of $160,704,000, up from $157,628,000 in FY 2004, will be dispersed to every state in the nation and the territories to enhance library services in public, school, academic and research libraries and archives. Grants help libraries use technology and bring library services to underserved populations. 



IMLS museum programs will receive $34,724,000, an increase of $3,321,000 from the FY 2004 level. This includes $843,000 for IMLS’s new Native American Museum Services as authorized by the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003. The act provided new authority for IMLS to support museum services for Indian tribes and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. The museum program funds also help museums of all types, from art to zoo, to sustain cultural heritage, build public access and expand educational service. Grants also help museums use new technology to improve operations and expand service. IMLS will continue to administer the 21st Century Museum Professionals program, which supports a range of activities, including professional training, leadership development, and strategic planning. In FY 2005, $992,000 will be devoted to this program. A detailed table is available on the IMLS Web site at http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/funding2004-2005.pdf <http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/funding2004-2005.pdf> .  ###