The following was sent to U.S. national, regional and state museum organizations
via broadcast fax this evening.  Please note it is released jointly with the
U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Tania Said
Public Affairs Assistant
Institute of Museum Services
[log in to unmask]
________________________________________________________________________________

IMLS Public Affairs Contact:  Tania Said at (202) 606-4646 or [log in to unmask]
NCLIS Contact:  Peter Young at (202) 606-9200 or [log in to unmask]


For Immediate Release:
October 4, 1996


President Signs Museum and Library Services Act

Washington, DC--On September 30, 1996 the President approved legislation
creating an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  Enactment of H.R.
4278 establishes IMLS to improve museum, library and information services.  It
consolidates federal programs of support for museums currently administered by
the Institute of Museum Services (IMS) and support for public libraries
currently administered by the Department of Education.  The legislation takes
effect in fiscal year 1997 (beginning October 1, 1996) however, it will clearly
be a year of transition.

Under this legislation the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information
Science (NCLIS) will add to its responsibilities the new role of advising IMLS
on general policy related to financial assistance for library services.  The
National Museum Services Board will continue to provide policy advice on museum
programs.

Speaking about the newly established IMLS, Diane B. Frankel, IMS Director and
the new IMLS Director, said, "This new agency sends a strong signal about the
contribution museums and libraries make to education and to communities across
the country.  I look forward to working with libraries and museums to ensure
that the tremendous power they have to enrich our lives is realized.

"I look forward to working closely with members of both the museum and library
worlds to assure a smooth transition to the Institute of Museum and Library
Services."

Jeanne H. Simon, NCLIS Chairperson, expressed satisfaction with the new
arrangement:  "NCLIS Members are very pleased about the prospects for increased
cooperation between libraries and museums.  We are also gratified that the
important federal role supporting libraries will continue through the new
Library Services and Technology Act."

Kinshasha Holman Conwill, National Museum Services Board Chairman noted, "I am
delighted that Congress will continue important federal support for museums.  As
I look to the future I am also optimistic about strengthening the natural
alliance between museums and libraries."

Some provisions of the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 include:

ù   Authorization for $150 million for libraries and $28.7 million for museums.
(Note: Funds for libraries and museums continue to be appropriated by different
Congressional committees)
ù   Continuation of museum programs to encourage and assist museums in their
educational role.
ù   Renew and reorganize the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) and
Title II of the Higher Education Act into the Library Services and Technology
Act (LSTA).
ù   Establish a director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services with a
four year term who will alternate between persons from library and museum
backgrounds.
ù   Establish two deputy directors; one for the Office of Museum Services and
one for the Office of Library Services.

# # # #


IMLS-01-97