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>.

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