The following is a press release from the Institute of Museum and Library Services:
http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/012304.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2004
Press Contacts
202/606-8339
Eileen Maxwell [log in to unmask] or
Mamie Bittner [log in to unmask]
Laura Bush Presents National Awards for Museum and Library
Service:
Announces increase in President’s FY 05 budget for
IMLS
WASHINGTON, DC - Laura Bush presented the 2003 National Awards for Museum
and Library Service to three libraries and three museums from across the country
in a White House ceremony yesterday afternoon. The awards are conferred annually
by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and recognize the recipients for
their outstanding service to the public. Each organization also receives
$10,000.
At the ceremony, Laura Bush announced that the President’s budget would
include an increase for the Institute of Museum and Library Services saying,
“President Bush and I are committed to strengthening America's libraries and
museums. In his 2005 budget, the President has proposed a 14 percent increase
for IMLS. President Bush has also proposed an increase of $12 million for the
Library Grants Program, and over $3 million for the 21st Century Librarian
Program. With this additional funding, IMLS can continue to support museums and
libraries and a nation of lifelong learners. And supporting lifelong learning is
the ultimate goal of museums and libraries today.”
The awards ceremony celebrated our nation of learners. Individuals from
around the country whose lives have changed for the better because of the
services and programs at their local museums or library were at the White House.
They accepted the award along with the Directors of the winning museums and
libraries. Profiles of the winning organizations and photographs of the award
representatives are available at:
http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/102103a.htm.
2003 National Awards for Museum and Library Services Recipients
Massachusetts:
• USS CONSTITUTION Museum (Boston)
Montana:
• Bozeman Public Library (Bozeman)
Pennsylvania:
• Carnegie Science Center (Pittsburgh)
• Free Library of Philadelphia
(Philadelphia)
Texas:
• San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (San
Angelo)
West Virginia:
• Pocahontas County Free Libraries
(Marlinton)
Laura Bush, a passionate advocate for the educational opportunities the
nation’s libraries and museums provide, said, “The museums and libraries we
honor today have developed innovative partnerships and programs for learners of
all ages, from babies to baby boomers to seniors. Thanks to these museums and
libraries, Americans of all ages are discovering the greatest lesson of all, and
that is learning is lifelong.”
The National Awards for Museum and Library Service honor institutions for
their exemplary social, educational, environmental, or economic contributions to
their communities. “Through partnerships with schools, businesses, social
service agencies, and many other groups, these museums and libraries have
uplifted lives, improved neighborhoods, and made our nation better,” said Dr.
Robert S. Martin, Director of the Institute. To learn more about the awards and
apply, please access http://www.imls.gov/grants/museum/mus_nams.asp for museums
and http://www.imls.gov/grants/library/lib_nals.htm for
libraries.
Laura Bush concluded her remarks http://www.imls.gov/scripts/exitmsg.cgi?url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/01/20040122-10.html quoting the nation’s fourth President,
“President James Madison said, ‘what spectacle could be more edifying or more
seasonable than that of liberty of learning, each leaning against the other for
their mutual and surest support…’ America's museums and libraries will forever
support the principles that make our country strong and free and they will
continue to light the way to liberty and learning for generations to
come.”
The celebration of the 2003 National Awards for Museum and Library
Service is made possible by 3M Library Systems, EBSCO Information Services,
Metal Edge, Inc., netLibrary, and Southwest Museum
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
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)
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