Posted by: Tania Said, Public Affairs Assistant, Institute of Museum Services, E-mail [log in to unmask] Contact: Tania Said (202) 606-4646 Mamie Bittner (202) 606-4648 For Immediate Release: March 15, 1996 INTERNET ACCESS IMPROVES SERVICE TO MUSEUM PROFESSION BY THE INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM SERVICES WASHINGTON, DC -- The Institute of Museum Services (IMS) now offers two means of Internet access--electronic mail (e-mail) at [log in to unmask] and the World- Wide Web at http://www.ims.fed.us. Launching the IMS web site on the World-Wide Web of the Internet is the result of a survey conducted by IMS to determine how we can best serve museums electronically. "This year we are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Institute of Museum Services. Establishing a presence on the Internet is a very fitting way to mark this milestone. The programs and services of the Institute are the result of an open dialogue with the public. This site will provide one more way to ensure effective communication," said Diane B. Frankel, Director of the Institute of Museum Services. Recently IMS surveyed museums about their access to the Internet and the types of IMS information that they would like to access on-line. In response to the survey IMS web pages include deadlines, descriptions and eligibility requirements for grant programs, the IMS newsletter and lists of awards. IMS plans to include links to other web sites of interest to museum professionals and others who would like to know more about museums on the Web. Survey results are available on our web site, by e-mailing [log in to unmask] or by calling IMS at (202) 606-8536. About the Institute of Museum Services (IMS)--IMS is an independent Federal agency established in 1976 to increase and improve museum services. There are over 8,000 museums in the United States and they host about 600,000,000 visitors each year. IMS supports all types of museums, including aquariums, arboretums and botanical gardens, art museums, youth museums, general museums, historic houses and sites, history museums, nature centers, natural history and anthropology museums, planetariums, science and technology centers, specialized museums, and zoological parks. # # # # IMS-06-96