The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release can
be read on the agency's Web site at
http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/017008.shtm. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2008

IMLS Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, [log in to unmask]
Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask] 

Guidelines Announced for Bank of America/IMLS American Heritage
Preservation Program

The Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Bank of America
Charitable Foundation are pleased to announce the 2009 guidelines for
the American Heritage Preservation Program. This new public-private
partnership will fund the preservation of endangered and fragile art
works, rare books, scientific specimens, and historical documents
(photographs, maps, deeds, etc.) held in small and medium-sized museums,
archives, and libraries. To access application guidelines instructions,
please visit www.imls.gov/collections/grants/boa.htm.

"It is through the preservation and care of our collective heritage that
America's communities stay vital," said Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director
of IMLS "These grants are intended to assist institutions, as our
nation's stewards of cultural collections, with activities that ensure
the safekeeping and care of these precious artifacts and with sharing
the impact of these activities with their communities." 

The grants of up to $3,000 are aimed at completing stand-alone
conservation projects that convey the essential character and experience
of the United States. Examples of fundable projects are provided in the
grant guidelines.

The partnership builds on IMLS's Connecting to Collections: A Call to
Action, a multi-year, multi-pronged initiative to raise public awareness
and inspire action on the care of America's collections. That initiative
implements recommendations of an IMLS-supported study, A Public Trust at
Risk: The Heritage Health Index Report on the State of America's
Collections, which found that nearly 190 million objects in U.S.
collections are in immediate danger of deterioration and need
restoration or conservation.

For questions about museum projects, please contact Christine Henry,
Senior Program Officer, at 202-653-4674 to discuss your questions. For
questions about library or archival projects, please contact Susan
Malbin, Senior Program Officer, at 202-653-4768.

The deadline for application is September 15, 2008. IMLS and Bank of
America will notify applicants of final decisions in January 2009, with
projects to begin no earlier than February 1, 2009.


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. The Institute's
mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to
information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in
coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage,
culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support
professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please
visit www.imls.gov.

Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation
gave more than $200 million in 2007, making the bank the most generous
financial institution in the world and the second largest donor of all
U.S. corporations in cash contributions. Bank of America approaches
giving through a national strategy called "neighborhood excellence"
under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most
pressing needs of individual communities. For more information about
Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit
www.bankofamerica.com/foundation. 

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