For Immediate Release September 24, 2003 Contact: Eileen Maxwell, <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] 202-606-8339 MUSEUMS RECEIVE $15 MILLION TO ADVANCE PUBLIC SERVICE: Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services Announces Learning Opportunities Grants for Museums WASHINGTON, DC - The Institute of Museum and Library Services, the primary federal funding agency for the nation's museums and libraries, today gave $15,464,815 to 169 outstanding museums across the country to use collections, resources, and technology for public outreach. Today's recipients of the Institute's highly competitive national Learning Opportunities grant competition (933 museums, from art galleries to zoos, requested $82,773,147) will match the awards with an additional $25,259,949. For a contact list of today's grant recipients organized by State, please see http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/stategrants0903log.htm <http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/stategrants0903log.htm> You may also read an html version of this press release at: http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/092403-2.htm <http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/092403-2.htm> "Museums use the power of real things to connect us to history, science, and the creative process," said Robert Martin, Director of the Institute. "These grants will help museums do just that by building public access, expanding educational services, and reaching out to families and children. The Learning Opportunity grants we make today furthers IMLS' mission to help museums create and sustain our nation of lifelong learners." Learning Opportunities grants encourage museums to use their collections, expertise, and technology to create public value and strengthen learning in schools, at home, and in partnership with other community organizations. Designed to advance the museum's mission and strategic goals, activities funded today range from interactive virtual gallery tours of museums around the world, to classroom teachers adopting raptors to inspire students about veterinary and animal husbandry careers, to traveling exhibits that reach underserved families and schools. Grants are awarded to all types of museums, from anthropological to zoological, fine art and folk art, urban and rural, large and small. Museums as diverse as the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, the Sci-Port Discovery Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, and the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, are among today's recipients. About the Institute of Museum and Library Services The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent Federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners. The Institute fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation's 15,000 museums and 122,000 libraries. The Institute also encourages partnerships to expand the educational benefit of libraries and museums. To learn more about the Institute, please log onto: http://www.imls.gov <http://www.imls.gov/> . Eileen Maxwell Public Affairs Specialist Institute of Museum and Library Services 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Suite 510 Washington, DC 20506 202-606-8339 202-606-8591 (fax) [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Eileen Maxwell Public Affairs Specialist Institute of Museum and Library Services 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Suite 510 Washington, DC 20506 202-606-8339 202-606-8591 (fax) [log in to unmask] Subscribe to Primary Source, the IMLS monthly e-mail newsletter, for important museum and library news: http://www.imls.gov/utility/subscribe.htm <http://www.imls.gov/utility/subscribe.htm> . ========================================================= 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).