> For Immediate Release                 Press Contacts:  202-606-8339
> February 7, 2000                              Mamie Bittner
>                       [log in to unmask]
>                       Eileen Maxwell
>                       [log in to unmask]
>
> President's Budget Requests
> $206,378,000 for
> Institute of Museum and Library Services
>
> Washington, D.C. - The President's Budget for FY 2001 released to Congress
> today contains $206,378,000 for the Institute of Museum and Library
> Services.   The request for the Office of Museum Services is $33,378,000,
> an increase of $9,070,720 over current funding.  The request for the
> Office of Library Services is $173,000,000, an increase of  $18,500,163
> over current funding for core programs and competitive National Leadership
> Grants.
>
> Beverly Sheppard, Acting Director said, "We are proud of this strong
> endorsement for the work of libraries and museums across the country.  As
> we usher in the 21st century, libraries and museums are responding to
> dramatic advances in technology, increasing diversity in our populations,
> and growing demands for learning throughout a lifetime.  In short, the
> needs and expectations of the American public are different than they were
> even five years ago.  This change requires investment.  The President's
> request for FY2001 recognizes these challenges as critical to enabling the
> public to fully use the rich resources of museums and libraries."
>
> The budget request focuses on two major goals. Each of these goals will be
> addressed through museum programs, library programs and collaborations
> between museums and libraries:
> *     increasing technological access to museum and library resources for
> all Americans;  and,
> *     building community partnerships to address serious and persistent
> community needs.
>
> TECHNOLOGY
>
> Technology challenges are escalating, reflecting a new role for IMLS at
> the federal level. Since 1998, IMLS has provided grants to state library
> agencies and to individual libraries for research, digitization and
> management of digital resources. Funding further addresses critical
> preservation and interoperability issues.  Beginning in 2000, Congress
> appropriated funds to IMLS to establish museum programs that build
> electronic networks and use technology to make museum resources more
> accessible.
>
> Increased funding for technology initiatives will build on this history
> and will support the establishment of electronic networks among
> institutions, the identification and digitization of key collections,
> ongoing research into the management of digital collections and nationwide
> opportunities for information sharing and dissemination.
>
> Because of its leadership role, IMLS has been charged by Executive Order
> to work together with the National Science Foundation, the National Park
> Service and the Smithsonian Institution and with the private sector and
> cultural and educational institutions across the country to create a
> Digital Library of Education to bring cultural and educational resources
> to the public.  This budget continues and enhances IMLS' strong technology
> programs that consistently promote public access to museum and library
> services for a diverse public.
> With this budget IMLS joins with the National Science Foundation to
> provide linkages among
> digital library and museum resources.  Digital resources for lifelong
> learning are available on
> the Internet but are not yet accessible in usable ways to all Americans.
> This project will include addressing technical issues to increase ease of
> searching for and finding information held by many different institutions.
> This collaboration will provide vital educational content to the
> classrooms of America.
>
> BUILDING COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERSHIPS
>
> Libraries and museums across the country are active community citizens.
> They are experts in building strategic partnerships across the community
> to address pressing local issues, such as: after school programming,
> neighborhood revitalization, narrowing the digital divide, linking
> community services and strengthening family programming.  As partners,
> libraries and museums are building new informal learning systems for the
> 21st century, meeting learning needs from infancy through the senior
> years.
>
> IMLS seeks additional funding to invest in this community leadership.  Two
> areas are of special concern: supporting strong, creative after school
> programming and building institutional expertise to strengthen community
> leadership.
>
> After-School Programs: IMLS seeks funding for both libraries and museums
> to support strong after-school programs, both at their facilities and
> within school and community centers. Such programming is especially
> significant for students at risk. Solid research supports the positive
> effects of engaging children in life-affirming creative and reliable
> out-of-school-hour environments.  Libraries and museums offer numerous
> such programs, ranging from homework programs to an innovative computer
> connections clubs.  Children learn new skills, are offered a safe
> environment, reinforce school-based learning and gain fresh confidence
> through these opportunities.
>
> Building Institutional Expertise: IMLS seeks additional funding to develop
> broad professional expertise in both museums and libraries to expand their
> roles as community leaders.  Funds will identify and share best practices,
> using broad communication strategies to encourage leadership across the
> nation.  Increased funding will build the institutional capacity of
> museums and libraries and educators and community builders in the 21st
> century. Further investment in professional practices will support
> initiatives to support and train minority professionals in museums and
> libraries.
>
> About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) - IMLS is an
> independent Federal grant making agency operating under authority of the
> Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, P.L. 104-208.  IMLS fosters
> leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the
> nation's 15,000 museum sites and 122,000 libraries.  IMLS consists of an
> Office of the Director, Office of Museum Services, Office of Library
> Services, and Office of Research and Technology.  For more information,
> including grant guidelines, contact:  Institute of Museum and Library
> services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC, 20506      (202)
> 606-8536, or http://www.imls.gov.
> MORE
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Institute of Museum and Library Services
> Fact Sheet on Library Services
> FY 2001 President's Request
>
> Program Type  FY 2000 Enacted FY 2001 Request
>   State Grants          $138,118,000    $151,780,000
>  Native American Library Services      $2,616,000      $3,030,000
>  National Leadership Grants    *$22,026,000    $13,000,000
>  Federal Administration        $3,491,000      $5,190,000
>
> * includes $11,751,000 in non-competitive Congressionally directed grants
>
> State Grants
>
> IMLS Grants to States support library services in every State, the
> District of Columbia and U.S. Territories.  Each State develops a
> five-year plan tailored to the individual states' needs and addressing the
> goals of using technology to expand access and expanding service to those
> who may have difficulty using the library.  All types of libraries public,
> academic, research, schools and archives can be eligible (depends on
> criteria established by each state).  For more information about the
> program and exemplary project descriptions see http://www.imls.gov.
>
> *     Libraries are the #1 point of access to the Internet for those who
> do not have computers at home or work. However, many public libraries have
> waiting lists for patrons wanting to access the Internet due to heavy
> demand.  States'  use IMLS fund to help narrow the digital divide by
> providing access to computers and to the Internet, community training, and
> content development.
>
> *     Today's libraries and the librarians are information navigators.
> States use IMLS grants help to establish and maintain the infrastructure
> needed to expand access to rich information resources by developing and
> purchasing  databases; sharing resources, expanding interlibrary loan and
> purchasing of hardware and software.
>
> *     Libraries support learning throughout the lifetime.  States use IMLS
> grants for after-school programs, homework centers, literacy training, ESL
> programs, adaptive services for the disabled, job and health information,
> support for small business, parenting resources and story telling for
> children, programs for seniors and more.
>
> National Leadership Grants
>
> These grants enhance the quality of library services nationwide, improve
> access to information resources, and encourage collaboration between
> museums and libraries.  Grants focus on
> *     Education and training in library and information science;
> *     Research in library and information science and demonstration
> projects to test potential solutions to problems in real-world situations;
> *     Preservation or digitization of unique resources; and
> *     Museum/Library Collaborative for innovative projects that model how
> museums and libraries can work together to expand their service to the
> public, with emphasis on how the community is served, technology is used,
> or education is enhanced.
>
> Some of the grants in this program in 2001 will explore potential ways to
> improve technology skills and access for the information "have-nots."
> Others will contribute to the partnership with NSF, bridging the spectrum
> from basic research through applied research and demonstration, to
> implementation of digital libraries.
>
> Native American Library Services
> Grants support the development of basic library services, technical
> assistance and enhancement of library services for Federally recognized
> tribes, Alaska Native villages and Native Hawaiians.  Grants in this
> program support the development of technology skills and information
> access, literacy and reading in communities that lack many basic resources
> and services.
>
> Institute of Museum and Library Services
> Fact Sheet for Museums
> FY 2001 President's  Request
>
> Program Type  FY 2000 enacted FY 2001 request
>   Support for Operations        $15,967,280     $15,983,000
> Support for Conservation      $3,130,000      $3,130,000
> National Leadership Grants     $3,050,000      $11,635,000
> Federal Administration        $2,160,000      $2,630,000
>
>
>
> National Leadership Grants
> This program restructured in FY 2000 supports leadership activities with
> broad impact. It has four priorities:
> *     Technology Advancement in Museums supports model proj3cts that
> increase access to museum resources for both school-based curricula and
> informal lifelong learning;
> *     Museums in the Community addresses serious and persistent community
> needs;
> *     Professional Practices funds professional organizations serving
> museums to undertake projects that provide technical assistance and
> training for small museums and professional development opportunities for
> minorities working in the museum field; and
> *     Museum/Library Collaborations for innovative projects that model how
> museums and libraries can work together to expand their service to the
> public, with emphasis on how the community is served, technology is used,
> or education is enhanced.
>
> Along with a series of smaller awards IMLS will offer several special
> Learning Links awards for amounts ranging between $250,000 and $500,000.
> IMLS encourages museums to join into partnerships citywide, statewide or
> within disciplines (i.e. art museums or science museums).  These projects
> can address any of the priorities for National Leadership Grants and
> demonstrate the strength of collective service through collaboration.
> Priority will be given to projects that advance service for young children
> or encourage learning collaborative focusing on science, history, or math.
>
>
> Support for Operations
> General Operating Support awards reward excellence in museum operations.
> Over time the program has been credited for improving museum professional
> practice nationwide and providing an annual nationwide forum to share best
> practice.  One of the greatest benefits of the program is that decisions
> about allocation of funds are made at the local museum for their highest
> priority projects.  Grants are used for a wide range of activities; they
> extend educational programming, broaden community outreach, integrate new
> technologies, conserve fragile collections, and train staff.
>
> This category also supports grants for museums to participate in the
> American Association of Museum's Museum Assessment Program.   Hundreds of
> museums have improved their operations, collections care and community
> outreach using this program of technical assistance.
>
> Support for Conservation
> Museums care for over 750 million objects and specimens that represent our
> nation's cultural heritage.  This program has been credited with improving
> museums' approach to collections care activities nationwide.  Though the
> Conservation Project Support program and the Conservation Assessment
> Program museum environments have been improved and millions of objects
> have been treated so that our grandchildren will have access to the rich
> cultural resources that they hold in trust.
>
>

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