FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Press Release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) November 6, 2001, Updated November 14, 2001, 4:32 P.M. IMLS Press Contacts: 202/606-8339 Eileen Maxwell - [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Mamie Bittner - [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> IMLS Issues Two Digital Library Forum Reports for Comment Washington, DC - In Spring 2001 IMLS convened a Digital Library Forum to discuss the implementation and management of networked digital libraries, including issues of infrastructure, metadata, thesauri and other vocabularies, and content enrichment. Forum members include representatives from a range of libraries and museums who have been involved in digital library initiatives. Many, but not all, have been recipients of IMLS grants. The Forum discussions led to the development of two reports: Report of the IMLS Digital Library Forum on the National Science Digital Library Program," produced jointly with representatives of the National Science Foundation's Science, Math, Engineering and Technology Education digital library project, (otherwise known as the National Science Digital Library, or NSDL program. The report recommends that funding be provided for previously-completed IMLS-funded digitization projects to take steps to map metadata elements to the NSDL set, upgrade systems to support the Open Archives Metadata Harvesting Protocol, and upgrade objects and metadata to meet appropriate benchmarks. The report contains additional suggestions for NSF and IMLS and specific recommendations for projects wishing to provide already-digitized content to the NSDL. See full report at: http://www.imls.gov/pubs/natscidiglibrary.htm "A Framework of Guidance for Building Good Digital Collections," which identifies core principles and related information resources for the creation of high-quality digital collections, objects, metadata, and projects. The Framework is intended as a resource for grant applicants as well as for IMLS and other funding agencies rather than as a requirement. See full report at: http://www.imls.gov/pubs/forumframework.htm IMLS has posted both reports on its Web site (see URL's above) and invites comments from the professional community interested in the creation, management and preservation of digital information resources. According to IMLS Director Dr. Robert S. Martin, "IMLS greatly appreciates the work of the Digital Library Forum participants. These reports represent a significant contribution to the digital library field. We believe they will help IMLS and its constituents work together to identify effective approaches to the development of high quality digital cultural content for education and learning, and also help to ensure broad public access to cultural resources." IMLS has also developed two new priorities under the Research and Demonstration category of its 2002 National Leadership Grants for Libraries ( http://www.imls.gov/grants/appl/index.htm#nlgl ) related to the Forum discussions: 1) Projects to add value to already-digitized collections as a demonstration of interoperability with the National Science Foundation's National Science Digital Library Program (eligibility limited to libraries and their partners with digital collections created with previous IMLS funding). Interested applicants should be familiar with both Forum reports, particularly the recommendations for projects in the "Report of the IMLS Digital Library Forum on the National Science Digital Library Program." Applicants should follow its recommendations for projects as well as all application procedures for National Leadership Grants for Libraries. 2) A project for development of a metadata agent to collect and broker metadata to other service providers in accordance with the Open Archives Initiative protocol. Interested applicants should be familiar with both Forum reports and should contact Martha Crawley at [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> for specific application and deadline information. Comments on the Digital Library Forum reports should be sent to Stephanie Clark at [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>. Comments will be most useful if received by May 1, 2002. IMLS Digital Library Forum Participants: Liz Bishoff, Colorado Digitization Alliance Priscilla Caplan (chair), Florida Center for Library Automation Tim Cole, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Anne Craig, Illinois State Library Daniel Greenstein, Digital Library Federation Doug Holland, Missouri Botanical Garden Ellen Kabat-Lensch, Eastern Iowa Community College Tom Moritz, American Museum of Natural History NSF Participants (contributed to "Report of the IMLS Digital Library Forum on the National Science Digital Library Program"): Su-Shing Chen, University of Florida Gerry Hanley, California State University Karon Kelly, Digital Library of Earth System Education Kathy Liu, National Health Museum Cathy Manduca, Carleton College Brandon Muramatsu, University of California Berkeley Kate Pittsley, MERIT Network John Saylor, Cornell University VivianLee Ward, National Health Museum About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) - IMLS is an independent Federal agency that fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation's museums and libraries. Created by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, P.L. 104-208, IMLS administers the Library Services and Technology Act and the Museum Services Act. IMLS has an annual budget of approximately $230 million. The Institute receives policy advice from two Presidentially appointed, Senate confirmed entities: the National Commission for Libraries and Information Science and the National Museum Services Board. For more information, including grant applications, contact IMLS at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 202-606-8536, or <http://www.imls.gov>. ========================================================= 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). 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