The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. An HTML version can be read on the Institute's Web site at: http://www.imls.gov/news/2006/060106.shtm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2006 Press Contacts 202-653-4632 Eileen Maxwell, [log in to unmask] Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask] Laura Bush Announces $1.5 Million in Additional Aid from Institute of Museum and Library Services Aid to Help Beleaguered Museums and Libraries in Federally Declared Disaster Areas New Orleans-At a conference yesterday on the Tulane University campus, First Lady Laura Bush announced additional aid from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services to help libraries and museums in major disaster areas recover. The Institute, an independent United States government agency, is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. "In March, the Institute of Museum and Library Services announced more than $670,000 in grants to help seven museums recover their collections and re-open to the public," said Mrs. Bush. "And today, I'm happy to announce that the Institute is reserving $1.5 million of the grant money it will award over the next year for projects related to the Gulf Coast and other areas that have suffered major disasters." Laura Bush made the announcement during her keynote address for "Rebirth: People, Places and Culture in New Orleans," a conference examining the role New Orleans' cultural legacy will play in the city's recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Cosponsored by Tulane University and the National Trust for Historic Preservation and held from May 30 to June 1, the conference has brought approximately 200 national, state, and local decision makers and regional preservation and higher education communities together to energize and elevate the discussion of the important role arts and culture play in the reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Katrina. Click here for details on the additional funding. http://www.imls.gov/news/2006/060106_details.shtm The Institute of Museum and Library Services, along with the Andrew Mellon Foundation, the Carnegie Corp. of New York, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts and the President's Committee on the Arts provided support for the conference. 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. Its mission is to grow and sustain a "Nation of Learners" because life-long learning is essential to a democratic society and individual success. Through its grant making, convenings, research and publications, the Institute empowers museums and libraries nationwide to provide leadership and services to enhance learning in families and communities, sustain cultural heritage, build twenty-first-century skills, and increase civic participation. To learn more about the Institute, please visit: http://www.imls.gov. Eileen Maxwell Public Affairs Officer Institute of Museum and Library Services 1800 M Street, NW 9th Floor Washington, DC 20036-5802 202-653-4632 202-653-4600(fax) [log in to unmask] Visit the Institute of Museum and Library Services virtual press room for the agency's latest news releases, publications, logos, and Primary Source our monthly e-newsletter at: http://www.imls.gov/pressroom.shtm. ========================================================= 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). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).